LeighElizabeth
New Member
Hello
I am hibernating my tortoise for the first time this year. I usually just keep him awake all year round as he lives indoors but last year I noticed he was a lot more sleepy etc come August/September time so felt it was worth trying hibernation this year.
I am just looking for advice really. I have made myself a plan taking a mixture of things Ive read online. If I have missed something or if I am planning on doing something I shouldn't be, then please do tell me.
TORTOISE DETAILS...
- Horsefield
- Male
- Age approx 6 or 7 (I have had him for 5 years; he was purchased from Dobbies garden centre so unsure how old they sell them at)
- Length 14.5cm
- Weighs 560g approx
SET UP...
- I have purchased a drinks cooler (the Budweiser Husky one) as I read these are the idea type - it does have a glass front but I am going to cover it and put some insulation to help keep the coolness in.
- I will also stock the cooler with bottled water around the tortoise box to help even out the temperature.
- I have purchased an alarmed thermometer with a max and min temp which I will use in the fridge area to keep track of the temperature and any fluctations.
- I will also place a probe thermometer inside the box where my tort will be so I can get the temp as close to him as possible.
- I read to have a small aquarium pump with air hoses which are fed into fridge door seal.
- I will double box him, the inner box where my tort will be will have 50/50 play sand and soil at least 3 inches deep; the outer box will be filled with insulation like shredded newspaper.
- Set this up about 2 to 3 weeks before hibernation, so I can ensure I know which setting maintains a steady 5°c. Then turn fridge up to 15°c approx for the start of hibernation.
WIND DOWN...
-Stop feeding him prior to hibernation (see question at bottom).
- Reduce use of MVB in enclosure over a 6 week period ie:
* Week 1 = 12 hours
* Week 2 = 9 hours
* Week 3 = 6 hours
* Week 4/5/6 = Light off (resulting in cooler day temps)
- Soak him 2-3 times a week to ensure drinking fluid; then in last week soak multiple times til he no longer voids in water.
- He should start to sleep more due to colder temperatures and not really leave his sleeping quarter, this indicates hibernation is ready.
HIBERNATION...
- Put him in his box in fridge at approx 15°c for start of hibernation, and slowly drop the temperature to the 5°c over a week.
-Open door once a day for a few minutes to let fresh air in.
- Weigh and examen him once a week (ensure he hasnt urinated or lost more than 1% of body weight; if so then abort hibernation).
* I feel happy with the post hibernation process so there is no worries for me there *
QUESTIONS:
- Is the whole pre hibernation ok on a 6 week timescale?
- Do I need this aquarium airpump, or will opening the door once a day be enough?
- I read play sand can hurt their eyes, am I best using only soil?
- When should I stop feeding? I have read different opinions one said 3 weeks prior to hibernation for a small tortoise (under 1kg) and the other said 4-6 weeks prior.
- Is it right to do the 15°c thing??
- How do I weigh him during hibernation? Will this not wake him up??
- When should I start to hibernate him and how long should I hibernate him for?
Sorry for the lengthy post, im very nervous and stressed as its the first time doing it and want to ensure I dont put him in any danger.
Thanks,
Leigh
I am hibernating my tortoise for the first time this year. I usually just keep him awake all year round as he lives indoors but last year I noticed he was a lot more sleepy etc come August/September time so felt it was worth trying hibernation this year.
I am just looking for advice really. I have made myself a plan taking a mixture of things Ive read online. If I have missed something or if I am planning on doing something I shouldn't be, then please do tell me.
TORTOISE DETAILS...
- Horsefield
- Male
- Age approx 6 or 7 (I have had him for 5 years; he was purchased from Dobbies garden centre so unsure how old they sell them at)
- Length 14.5cm
- Weighs 560g approx
SET UP...
- I have purchased a drinks cooler (the Budweiser Husky one) as I read these are the idea type - it does have a glass front but I am going to cover it and put some insulation to help keep the coolness in.
- I will also stock the cooler with bottled water around the tortoise box to help even out the temperature.
- I have purchased an alarmed thermometer with a max and min temp which I will use in the fridge area to keep track of the temperature and any fluctations.
- I will also place a probe thermometer inside the box where my tort will be so I can get the temp as close to him as possible.
- I read to have a small aquarium pump with air hoses which are fed into fridge door seal.
- I will double box him, the inner box where my tort will be will have 50/50 play sand and soil at least 3 inches deep; the outer box will be filled with insulation like shredded newspaper.
- Set this up about 2 to 3 weeks before hibernation, so I can ensure I know which setting maintains a steady 5°c. Then turn fridge up to 15°c approx for the start of hibernation.
WIND DOWN...
-Stop feeding him prior to hibernation (see question at bottom).
- Reduce use of MVB in enclosure over a 6 week period ie:
* Week 1 = 12 hours
* Week 2 = 9 hours
* Week 3 = 6 hours
* Week 4/5/6 = Light off (resulting in cooler day temps)
- Soak him 2-3 times a week to ensure drinking fluid; then in last week soak multiple times til he no longer voids in water.
- He should start to sleep more due to colder temperatures and not really leave his sleeping quarter, this indicates hibernation is ready.
HIBERNATION...
- Put him in his box in fridge at approx 15°c for start of hibernation, and slowly drop the temperature to the 5°c over a week.
-Open door once a day for a few minutes to let fresh air in.
- Weigh and examen him once a week (ensure he hasnt urinated or lost more than 1% of body weight; if so then abort hibernation).
* I feel happy with the post hibernation process so there is no worries for me there *
QUESTIONS:
- Is the whole pre hibernation ok on a 6 week timescale?
- Do I need this aquarium airpump, or will opening the door once a day be enough?
- I read play sand can hurt their eyes, am I best using only soil?
- When should I stop feeding? I have read different opinions one said 3 weeks prior to hibernation for a small tortoise (under 1kg) and the other said 4-6 weeks prior.
- Is it right to do the 15°c thing??
- How do I weigh him during hibernation? Will this not wake him up??
- When should I start to hibernate him and how long should I hibernate him for?
Sorry for the lengthy post, im very nervous and stressed as its the first time doing it and want to ensure I dont put him in any danger.
Thanks,
Leigh