Some people say it's detrimental others say it's beneficial it's simply a biological reaction to cold weather. They've been doing it for millions of years now so I think I'm okay with it
I always tell new tortoise owners 2 never hibernate first year. You have no idea of their past feeding, health, everything,But do you feel new people should gamble their torts lives to try to hibernate the torts ?
My view is that if they do it in the wild, we should also do it in captivity. The caveat is that it needs to be done correctly, indoors, under controlled conditions. Leaving them outside subject to the cruel whims of Mother Nature often leads to their deaths.What are peoples views on hibernation? I am yet to hibernate my 3 year old Hermans tortoise.
So you would recommend brumating all tortoise breeds that would naturally brumate in the wild? I live in the United Kingdom if that helps I keep him inside but when we have nice days I keep him in the garden. Thanks!I allow my brumating species to brumate. They have a safe, dry hibernaculum, that doesn't allow the inside to freeze (eyeballs will freeze). My tortoises live outside in a very large yard, and they do what comes naturally to them when the days start getting shorter, the nights cooler. They do it all on their own. Once they've stopped coming out to sun themselves, I just block the door and cover the hibernaculum with mounds of leaves.
Hi Yvonne and everyone on this forum I know hibernation period is getting closer but I really can’t decide whether I want to bromate my tortoise or not? Obviously I want to do what’s best for my tortoise but I just see contradicting advice all over the internet? ThanksI can't advise folks in the UK. But I'll send a shout out to @JoesMum who kept an outdoor Greek tortoise in the UK for over 40 years.
I can't advise folks in the UK. But I'll send a shout out to @JoesMum who kept an outdoor Greek tortoise in the UK for over 40 years.
Hi thanks for the reply yes I know the weather is rubbish here at the moment! you said that I don’t have to hibernate my tortoise? I have been researching this a lot lately like a madman and it’s kind of stressing me out because I want I do things the way they are naturally but at the same time hibernating my tortoise will really stress me out. Like I would rather not hibernate for my own sanity but I know it would be unfair on the tortoise. Does anybody actually know what happens when tortoises doesnt hibernate or is it a wait and see kind of thing? ThanksHi there
You don’t have to hibernate your tort and, personally, I wouldn’t recommend you do so in the first 12 months of ownership or if your tort weighs less than 500g
Our summer has turned very soggy and chilly in the UK and the outdoor torts are probably all in need of extra heat to keep them going. The indoor ones too.
Hibernation is way off in the UK. We shouldn’t be thinking about it until October. Right now every tort should be active, eating and full of attitude. If they’re not then more heat is required!
You do need to be sure your tort is a healthy weight for its size, so weigh your tort regularly and be comfortable that it’s steadily gaining weight.
For hibernation you will need a place that is a steady 5C and never above 10C. Here in Kent, I found that increasingly difficult and resorted to buying a fridge for hibernating Joe.
Once your tort is free range outside 24/7 it will find indoor living too cramped. Joe was a nightmare the one winter he wasn’t allowed to hibernate!
Have you seen my thread on outdoor accommodation in the UK? I touch on hibernation in that.
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/outdoor-accommodation-in-a-colder-uk-climate.140866/
Happy to answer questions [emoji4]