spur tortoise Mediterranean

[Prid]

Hi all new here ;-) ;-)

And I have my first question , I already have one spur tortoise which I have had for around two year's and has been hibernating,

Now for the question. I have been given a second spur tortoise which is around 7 -10 years old, this tortoise has never been hibernated, so do I go forward with hibernating this year?? Or never??

Thanks for the help

Prid

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Prid:

It's never a good idea to allow your tortoise to brumate/hibernate when its a new-to-you tortoise. You need to keep it up in an indoor habitat with heat and lights for the first winter with you. Then put it out in the spring and he can acclimate to the weather and brumate naturally next winter.

It is also a very good idea to quarantine a new tortoise for at least 3 months before allowing it in with your existing tortoise.

 

[Prid]

Thanks for the help

Would the lack of hibernation in the past have any effect on the tortoise health??

Thanks

 

[ascott]

Would the lack of hibernation in the past have any effect on the tortoise health??

There is no way to for certain know the answer to this question....you will have folks that think brumation is just nonsense and you will have folks (such as myself) who believe it is a necessary part of some species circle of life and is nonsense to NOT support this natural function....

So, unless you are the "all knowing" ---there is simply no way for anyone to 100% KNOW the answer to your question....we all can speculate till the cows come home---but know, it is our best guess or speculation,,,

 

[janed100]

Thanks for the help

Would the lack of hibernation in the past have any effect on the tortoise health??

Thanks

Hi - I have 3 spur-thighed tortoises myself - have had them from hatchlings. I didn't hibernate them their first winter but have always done so since - I bought a chiller cabinet for that purpose having tried the loft and the garage and having been terrified of freezing etc...

Everything I've ever read says that Mediterranean tortoises hibernate naturally to get through the coldest part of the year, but for only about 8 weeks, if that. Not to let them hibernate will allow them to grow too fast......??? I'm not sure that I believe that last bit but I do think it's important to mimic their natural lives as far as is possible.

I would therefore take the advice of all those other members who have said don't hibernate him now - but you will need to keep him warm and well-lit. But then get ready to hibernate him NEXT winter - but only for about 8 weeks max (same for your other chap).

Good luck with them, Jane (from UK)

 

[peasinapod]

AW: spur tortoise Mediterranean

Hi!
Do you know the exact subspecies of the new tortoise? Not all of the graeca subspecies hibernate.

@jane: My tortoise always hibernates longer than 8 weeks. He did so at my grandparent's and will do so here. If everything goes well he'll hibernate for 4-4.5 months, depending on the weather.