Hi, I need some advice on hibernating Tabatha. She is a spur thighed testudo graeca graeca, about 80 years old.
After inheriting Tabby this year from my father in law, it will be the first year we have had to get her prepared.
She had free roam of the garden before and pretty much done this herself. However we have had her inside since we have had her, due to living in a terraced house with quite a small garden and being overlooked,
we also have a child next door that likes to throw things into our garden, so it wasn't an option to have her safely outside (we are looking at moving soon and one of the criteria is the garden). We do put her out in the garden at weekends/evenings when we can watch her.
The weather is getting colder and the past couple of weeks she has been sleeping longer and not eating much, so I am assuming she knows it is nearly time for her to hibernate, but we will be having the heating on soon and need some advice on what to do with her.
I have read not to feed her for 4-6 weeks before and make sure her tummy is empty?
She will have a weekly bath and I have been weighing her every month and will start weighing her weekly now.
She is in the dining room at the moment, but we can move her into the spare room, to be able to control the temperature better.
Do I need to gradually reduce the temperature?
When do I put her into hibernation? (she will be put in my mums garage over the winter)
How long would she need to hibernate for? I have read 5 months, so was looking at the end of October?
I have an appointment with the vets next week to give her a once over, but have a concern about her weight.
Any advice / reassurance greatly appreciated.
After inheriting Tabby this year from my father in law, it will be the first year we have had to get her prepared.
She had free roam of the garden before and pretty much done this herself. However we have had her inside since we have had her, due to living in a terraced house with quite a small garden and being overlooked,
we also have a child next door that likes to throw things into our garden, so it wasn't an option to have her safely outside (we are looking at moving soon and one of the criteria is the garden). We do put her out in the garden at weekends/evenings when we can watch her.
The weather is getting colder and the past couple of weeks she has been sleeping longer and not eating much, so I am assuming she knows it is nearly time for her to hibernate, but we will be having the heating on soon and need some advice on what to do with her.
I have read not to feed her for 4-6 weeks before and make sure her tummy is empty?
She will have a weekly bath and I have been weighing her every month and will start weighing her weekly now.
She is in the dining room at the moment, but we can move her into the spare room, to be able to control the temperature better.
Do I need to gradually reduce the temperature?
When do I put her into hibernation? (she will be put in my mums garage over the winter)
How long would she need to hibernate for? I have read 5 months, so was looking at the end of October?
I have an appointment with the vets next week to give her a once over, but have a concern about her weight.
Any advice / reassurance greatly appreciated.