Hibernation

[Chris Landis]

My tort has been rather lazy lately, and he seems to want to sleep all the time. I have read alot about Hibernation, but I am still unsure if I should just leave him alone until he's ready to be active. I know this seems like a ridiculous question. I'm jus wondering if I should just let him go or what. Any advice, at all, that you have will be appreciated.

 

[Yvonne G]

A New-to-you tortoise shouldn't be allowed to hibernate their first winter with you.

Keep your lights on for 14 hours a day and make sure you have a GOOD UVB light over the center of the habitat to fool him into thinking it's a summertime sun. Get him out every day and soak him in warm water then place him in front of the food. Every time you walk by the habitat get him out and put him at the far end. And speaking of 'habitat' it should be fairly large for a Russian tortoise - about 4x8.