landonewts
New Member
A few months ago I adopted an Ornate Box Turtle from the shelter where I work. She was rescued from an unheated shed, where she had been living with 6 other tortoises in a plastic wading pool. She may be between 5-10 years old, at her size she is fully grown.
I got her a proper habitat - a tortoise box with a water dish just her size, full spectrum light, ceramic heater and "night" heater. She has a bark house on one side (the warmer side) where she was spending most of her time, and an enclosed/covered spot on the other side. Substrate is Eco Earth and sphagnum moss. I mist once or twice a day. I've been very careful to give her all the right care, Lucky for me, she was readily eating everything offered - fruits, veggies, hard cooked eggs, calcium-dusted crickets and super worms.
Four days ago she went into the covered/.cooler area of her habitat, buried herself in the substrate (also under a pillow of moss) and won't come out. She's alive and responsive, I check on her daily, but I'm worried since most turtles and tortoises hibernate/brumate in the fall, and it's almost February. My plan had been to let her recover this year, eat and get healthy, and see about hibernating her this coming Fall.
I'm concerned that she isn't yet healthy enough to stand a full three month hibernation. I am a little reluctant to dig her out, though. Although I am sure her "clock" is off. I can't get her in to see a vet for a couple of days. So... asking the forum for any wisdom you can share. What would YOU do?
I got her a proper habitat - a tortoise box with a water dish just her size, full spectrum light, ceramic heater and "night" heater. She has a bark house on one side (the warmer side) where she was spending most of her time, and an enclosed/covered spot on the other side. Substrate is Eco Earth and sphagnum moss. I mist once or twice a day. I've been very careful to give her all the right care, Lucky for me, she was readily eating everything offered - fruits, veggies, hard cooked eggs, calcium-dusted crickets and super worms.
Four days ago she went into the covered/.cooler area of her habitat, buried herself in the substrate (also under a pillow of moss) and won't come out. She's alive and responsive, I check on her daily, but I'm worried since most turtles and tortoises hibernate/brumate in the fall, and it's almost February. My plan had been to let her recover this year, eat and get healthy, and see about hibernating her this coming Fall.
I'm concerned that she isn't yet healthy enough to stand a full three month hibernation. I am a little reluctant to dig her out, though. Although I am sure her "clock" is off. I can't get her in to see a vet for a couple of days. So... asking the forum for any wisdom you can share. What would YOU do?