Burmating my desert tort

[AZtortMom]

Good morning tort friends
I hope everyone is well
As many of you know, I rescued a Texas Desert tort. He was in rough shape, but is doing much better.
My question is, should I burmate him since he is only 5 pounds and I have only had him a short time.
I am thinking no, but I would lik some expert input. Thanks!

 

[KarenSoCal]

Personally, I would not. It's often advised to not brumate any tortoise until after the first year you've had him. And since yours was seriously compromised, that's a good reason to keep him awake.

 

[AZtortMom]

Personally, I would not. It's often advised to not brumate any tortoise until after the first year you've had him. And since yours was seriously compromised, that's a good reason to keep him awake.

Thank you Karen

 

[CarolM]

Is this Arosio?

 

[CarolM]

I know nothing about brumating as I have not had to do it with my Torts but what Karen said makes sense to me as well.

 

[AZtortMom]

I know nothing about brumating as I have not had to do it with my Torts but what Karen said makes sense to me as well.

Thank you my friend
Yes, this is him.

 

[CarolM]

Thank you my friend
Yes, this is him. ❤

You are right. He is a lovely little guy.

 

[Ciri]

If he is in good health I would hibernate him as the benefits from hibernation for the immune system are significant. Scientific research has shown that even 3 month old desert tortoises have a higher survival rate when they are hibernated as opposed to kept awake during the winter.

 

[Tom]

If he is in good health I would hibernate him as the benefits from hibernation for the immune system are significant. Scientific research has shown that even 3 month old desert tortoises have a higher survival rate when they are hibernated as opposed to kept awake during the winter.

That's because so many of them die from dehydration related issues. None of them die when started and cared for correctly whether hibernated or not.

I'm a proponent of hibernation for any species that would hibernate annually in the wild, but any scientific study done on babies of this species is going to be flawed due to the mass ignorance spread about how to properly raise and care for them.