to late for short hibernation?

[ehopkins12]

This is probably a stupid question. I read that russians can benefit from as little as a few weeks of hibernation. Right now it's too cold here in Ohio to put them outside yet. It will probably be warm enough in a month or so. I was wondering if I could do a short hibernation period to encourage mating. Is it too late to put them under for a short hibernation before I put them outside? It's probably ridiculous, but I don't know much about hibernation, and I'm wanting to get into breeding, so just a question!

 

[Yvonne G]

A tortoise usually figures out the hibernation thing on his own. He notices the shorter days and stops eating about 2 or 3 weeks prior to actually going to sleep. (In order to clean out his digestive tract) So, yes, in my opinion, its too late in the year to think about hibernation.

 

[kimber_lee_314]

I agree with Yvonne. Wait and do it next year, and in the meantime do a lot of research into proper hibernation techniques. It's more complicated than most people think. Good luck! :_

 

[ehopkins12]

ok sounds good! thanks!

 

[-ryan-]

Another thing to keep in mind, if I am remembering your tortoises correctly, the female may still be a bit small for breeding. You are best anyway to let them settle in for a year and don't do anything extra to encourage breeding. I have never hibernated my russians and they breed regularly and lay fertile eggs (some of which I am able to hatch... that's always a work in progress )

Good luck with the endeavor though. It's great fun and it's good for the hobby to have more people working with these great little tortoises.