the cold air

[Rosiee]

my tortosie isnt coming out much lately and when she does she just eats and then goes back in to her hide and sleeps, i think she is trying to hibernated, when she does eat she isnt eating loads, but she is only 3 years and i dont want to hibernate her yet. Can anybody shed light on her behaviour?

 

[Josh]

if you don't want her to hibernate, you should keep her temperatures high -- just like normal. what are the temps like right now? is she indoors/outdoors?

 

[Rosiee]

shes indoors and about 80C - 90C

 

[Laura]

Species? Also, make sure the light is on long enough to simulate summer hours, not the shorter fall/winter hours. Might have to put them on timers.

 

[Rosiee]

The light is on for around 12 hours a day to stimulate day time, and the species is hermann any more advice anyone?

 

[egyptiandan]

To simulate summer you need the lights on 14 to 16 hours a day. I also hope she isn't at 80C to 90C as that would be cooking temperatures and it's really 80F to 90F. That temperature is a bit high, she might be wanting to aestivate. I would try for 70F cool end and 82 to 84F warm end. Under the basking light it can be 90 to 95F.
If you only have one light you might want to add a regular florscent light to the enclosure to add more light, that will help too.

Danny

 

[Isa]

To simulate summer you need the lights on 14 to 16 hours a day. I also hope she isn't at 80C to 90C as that would be cooking temperatures and it's really 80F to 90F. That temperature is a bit high, she might be wanting to aestivate. I would try for 70F cool end and 82 to 84F warm end. Under the basking light it can be 90 to 95F.
If you only have one light you might want to add a regular florscent light to the enclosure to add more light, that will help too.

Danny

Hello Danny
Would you add the florsent light on the warm side (beside the mercury bulb) or in the cold side?

 

[Rosiee]

right welll at he moment and since i got her it is about 84f- 90f under the basking lamp, the uvb florcent light is on about 12- 13 hours a day the rest or the cage is about 75F ish on the coolest part and 85F nearer the lamp. She is more active when the UVB light isnt on, her behaviour has really got me wondering, she is still sleeping/ hiding for about 2 day and the having some food basking a little ad the going back to her hide. What is aestivate?