Do tortoises hibernate ??????

TiffanyJackson2012

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Is it normal for a Russian tortoise to always stay in his hide? I sometimes take him out because I’m concerned if he is okay, and he typically goes right back in hide … I can’t confirm if he is eating or not but it seem like he is hibernating is that normal? I live in Miami Florida and it’s summer time so could that be affecting his activity level?
 

Golden Greek Tortoise 567

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Is it normal for a Russian tortoise to always stay in his hide? I sometimes take him out because I’m concerned if he is okay, and he typically goes right back in hide … I can’t confirm if he is eating or not but it seem like he is hibernating is that normal?
Tortoise do brumate, and RTs can do this. But I would not recommend just letting them brumate in their burrows due to the inconsistency of temperatures. I can’t give you advice on how to to this, I don’t brumate any of my torts.
 

KarenSoCal

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Hi!

Tortoises spend lots of time in their burrows or hides. I've read that Desert Tortoises spend as much as 95% of their time underground.

Re' your Russian, we need more info to determine if there's a reason he's staying in.

First, are we talking about an indoor or outdoor enclosure? How long have you had him, and about how old do you think he is? Where did you get him? A pet store, breeder, a friend or relative?

If he's indoors, post some pictures of his enclosure, what lights you're using, and him too!

If outdoors, again post pictures. How big is his outdoor enclosure?

I know it's lots of questions, but it's info we need to assess your particular situation.
 

Tom

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Is it normal for a Russian tortoise to always stay in his hide? I sometimes take him out because I’m concerned if he is okay, and he typically goes right back in hide … I can’t confirm if he is eating or not but it seem like he is hibernating is that normal? I live in Miami Florida and it’s summer time so could that be affecting his activity level?
They hibernate when its cold, so he's not hibernating. During hot weather they will sometimes aestivate. That is a possibility for yours, but if you answer Karen's questions, we will have a better idea.
 

TiffanyJackson2012

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Hi!

Tortoises spend lots of time in their burrows or hides. I've read that Desert Tortoises spend as much as 95% of their time underground.

Re' your Russian, we need more info to determine if there's a reason he's staying in.

First, are we talking about an indoor or outdoor enclosure? How long have you had him, and about how old do you think he is? Where did you get him? A pet store, breeder, a friend or relative?

If he's indoors, post some pictures of his enclosure, what lights you're using, and him too!

If outdoors, again post pictures. How big is his outdoor enclosure?

I know it's lots of questions, but it's info we need to assess your particular situation.




My Russian lives in an outdoor enclosure, he has only lived with me since 8/23/20. Turbo was given to me as a gift so I’m not completely sure where he was bought or his age.
61F68479-B790-4290-BFD5-96A343D8CE53.jpeg61F68479-B790-4290-BFD5-96A343D8CE53.jpegD2A75CB5-17D9-4C4E-A4D2-325003E67B93.jpegD2A75CB5-17D9-4C4E-A4D2-325003E67B93.jpeg707260B8-0F10-469B-8551-BBF10C54BBA7.jpeg
 

Golden Greek Tortoise 567

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My Russian lives in an outdoor enclosure, he has only lived with me since 8/23/20. Turbo was given to me as a gift so I’m not completely sure where he was bought or his age.
View attachment 305684View attachment 305684View attachment 305685View attachment 305685View attachment 305686
You can build an indoor enclosure for him and bring him inside if you don’t wish to hibernate him. Just a side note, that ramped water bowl is dangerous and torts have flipped over and drowned. I would replace it with a terra cotta saucer.
 

Tom

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Now that we see the enclosure, its no surprise that he hides all the time. The enclosure is much too small, and there is nowhere to hide. No cover of any kind except the hide, which is why he's staying in it all the time. He needs some bushes and greenery to hide under. Some logs and boulders to walk around and seek cover from.

Does the enclosure get sun during the day at some point? What is the temperature outside, and in the hide cave?

I agree with Golden Greek about the water bowl. I'd remove that right now.

Also, that soil is much too sandy. It is likely to eventually kill him through impaction, and sand is also a potential skin and eye irritant.

There is a whole bunch of useful info that will help you here:
 

KarenSoCal

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I agree with everything that's been said by the other members.

Remember that torts are prey animals, and their only defense is hiding. Only the smallest of snack-seekers will be deterred by their shells.

This outside area needs to be at least 8ft x 4ft, and larger if at all possible. Torts need lots of space to walk in order to digest their food.

Your Russian is very nice with a beautiful smooth shell!
 

Cleopatra 2020

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I agree with everything that's been said by the other members.

Remember that torts are prey animals, and their only defense is hiding. Only the smallest of snack-seekers will be deterred by their shells.

This outside area needs to be at least 8ft x 4ft, and larger if at all possible. Torts need lots of space to walk in order to digest their food.

Your Russian is very nice with a beautiful smooth shell!
yep ditto that
 

TiffanyJackson2012

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Thank you all for all the awesome advise... I am now in the process of total reconstruction of his enclosure ??????This is my first tortoise ? so I am very appreciative of all the feedback ?
 

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