Gypseelee
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2016
- Messages
- 1
Hello all!! This is my very first time on a forum period, so forgive my clumsiness if any.
Now some background: I have had a vast array of pets, but mostly just cats. I adopted my Desert Tortoise, Michelangelo, from a friend's parents who are having health issues and needed to find homes for some of their babies. He is a third generation bred in captivity and about five years old. I did extensive research before making this handsome guy a part of our family including online but moslty picking the brains of his previous owner, my local veterinarian and breeders. I like getting information from a vast pool of resources so that I can glean information from both written rule, professional perspective and day to day experience. That is why I am here.
I live in an area that typically does not house tortoises because it is in the mountains and cooler than they generally prefer. Because of this, Mikey basically has free reign of my home with a dog house all his own set up with a cave, lamps and whatnot for when it is too cold and bring him outside on days/times when it is more his liking.
According to my research, most tortoises in my area hibernate from October to March, however, for the last month, while it has still been rather warm, high 80's to mid nineties and he has been markedly less active, like lazy if that makes sense. Is he just starting to hibernate? I check him every day and without bugging him too much, I offer him food and water and he just ignores it. I've checked him for signs of illness, but to my untrained eye, he seems fine.
My reptile vet is out of town and will definitely consult her upon her return, but I was hoping for some input from experienced tortoise owners in the interim. Any input and advice would be greatly appreciated! I've only had him for five months and I feel so lost! Thank you for your time, patience and help.
Now some background: I have had a vast array of pets, but mostly just cats. I adopted my Desert Tortoise, Michelangelo, from a friend's parents who are having health issues and needed to find homes for some of their babies. He is a third generation bred in captivity and about five years old. I did extensive research before making this handsome guy a part of our family including online but moslty picking the brains of his previous owner, my local veterinarian and breeders. I like getting information from a vast pool of resources so that I can glean information from both written rule, professional perspective and day to day experience. That is why I am here.
I live in an area that typically does not house tortoises because it is in the mountains and cooler than they generally prefer. Because of this, Mikey basically has free reign of my home with a dog house all his own set up with a cave, lamps and whatnot for when it is too cold and bring him outside on days/times when it is more his liking.
According to my research, most tortoises in my area hibernate from October to March, however, for the last month, while it has still been rather warm, high 80's to mid nineties and he has been markedly less active, like lazy if that makes sense. Is he just starting to hibernate? I check him every day and without bugging him too much, I offer him food and water and he just ignores it. I've checked him for signs of illness, but to my untrained eye, he seems fine.
My reptile vet is out of town and will definitely consult her upon her return, but I was hoping for some input from experienced tortoise owners in the interim. Any input and advice would be greatly appreciated! I've only had him for five months and I feel so lost! Thank you for your time, patience and help.