Tortoise is Dormant

[ColorfulTortoise]

My russian tortoise (Not sure on his age, he was imported) has been acting very dormant for the past week or two. He hasn't been very interested in eating, and he has been spending all of his time in his hide even when I turn his lights on. Is he wanting to hibernate? The room stays at a constant temperature of about 78 degrees during the day, at night it stays around the same, maybe 74. [/color]

 

[Laura]

most likely.. yes

 

[Yvonne G]

Doesn't matter what your room temperature is, he needs to have the temperature in his habitat different from the room temperature.

Directly under the light it should be around 100F degrees, fading to 80 or 85 on the warm side and then room temp or around 75 on the other end of the habitat.

Tortoises have to be able to warm up their core temp in order to digest their food. Humans temp is almost 100F degrees and we're able to reach that temp on our own. A tortoise has to sit in the sun or on a sun-warmed rock in order to warm up. That's why we provide the light for him.

So, the heat of the habitat and the length of the days is what tells your tortoise to hibernate or not.

Please read this:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-59575.html#axzz2CgqUDD7l

 

[ColorfulTortoise]

Thank you!!!!!!!