CourtsTorts
New Member
Hi Folks,
I have 2 Russian tort girls that I got in early summer. They lived outside all summer and were happy and healthy. I decided since it was my first year with them, I would not hibernate them this winter. We built a tortoise table with a 100 degree basking spot and a UV bulb and brought them inside when it got cold. Despite the setup which I think was correct, once the fall weather really set in, both girls burrowed into their soil and stopped eating. I tried raising temps, I tried soaks, I tried leaving lights on longer... not much improvement.
So I felt forced to hibernate them. I got a mini-fridge and thermometer. Temps are ranging from 39-42 degrees F. I put the girls each inside a small box with shredded paper and then put that inside a larger box with shredded paper. They each have a thermometer inside their box too. The boxes keep them warmer and are staying around 42-47 degrees F.
Here's my issue: I can hear one of them scratching in their boxes inside the fridge. Like once or twice daily. After 8 days in the fridge, I opened their boxes last night and weighed them (their weight was fine). I read this would not disturb them but both torts opened their eyes and slowly moved during weighing and re-boxing. Is this normal? Also, one of the torts had scratched holes through her inner box! Is this normal?
I am afraid I am doing something wrong and feel guilty like I have buried them alive. Not sure what to do.
Suggestions?
I have 2 Russian tort girls that I got in early summer. They lived outside all summer and were happy and healthy. I decided since it was my first year with them, I would not hibernate them this winter. We built a tortoise table with a 100 degree basking spot and a UV bulb and brought them inside when it got cold. Despite the setup which I think was correct, once the fall weather really set in, both girls burrowed into their soil and stopped eating. I tried raising temps, I tried soaks, I tried leaving lights on longer... not much improvement.
So I felt forced to hibernate them. I got a mini-fridge and thermometer. Temps are ranging from 39-42 degrees F. I put the girls each inside a small box with shredded paper and then put that inside a larger box with shredded paper. They each have a thermometer inside their box too. The boxes keep them warmer and are staying around 42-47 degrees F.
Here's my issue: I can hear one of them scratching in their boxes inside the fridge. Like once or twice daily. After 8 days in the fridge, I opened their boxes last night and weighed them (their weight was fine). I read this would not disturb them but both torts opened their eyes and slowly moved during weighing and re-boxing. Is this normal? Also, one of the torts had scratched holes through her inner box! Is this normal?
I am afraid I am doing something wrong and feel guilty like I have buried them alive. Not sure what to do.
Suggestions?