Waking Up Brumation

[Tabby0318]

Hi all,
We have had a couple of warmer days in the UK, and Tabby has started to move around in her hibernation box. She has only turned herself around a couple of times, so not fully awake. Although the weather is going to dip again slightly over the next week.

Firstly, should I take her out of brumation now? I know it will not be good for her to go back to sleep at this late stage, but she has not fully woken up.

Secondly, I have always used a combi heat and uv lamp for her. Would it be better to get a seperate uv lamp? I read a thread a couple of weeks ago, can't remember which one though, that a separate lamp would be better. She has a room in the house all to herself for when the weather is a bit cold, so with the heating on, will she still need a heat lamp?

I have a couple of days off work this week, so I can soak her and get her hydration levels back up.

She does spend the spring / summer in the garden (except at night), so just to make sure she has everything she needs while it warms up.

Info: Tabby is a mediterranean spur thigh, about 84 years old. We have had her for 5 years and we are still learning/ researching to make sure she keeps going for quite a few more years 😊

 

[Tom]

Hi all,
We have had a couple of warmer days in the UK, and Tabby has started to move around in her hibernation box. She has only turned herself around a couple of times, so not fully awake. Although the weather is going to dip again slightly over the next week.

Firstly, should I take her out of brumation now? I know it will not be good for her to go back to sleep at this late stage, but she has not fully woken up.

Secondly, I have always used a combi heat and uv lamp for her. Would it be better to get a seperate uv lamp? I read a thread a couple of weeks ago, can't remember which one though, that a separate lamp would be better. She has a room in the house all to herself for when the weather is a bit cold, so with the heating on, will she still need a heat lamp?

I have a couple of days off work this week, so I can soak her and get her hydration levels back up.

She does spend the spring / summer in the garden (except at night), so just to make sure she has everything she needs while it warms up.

Info: Tabby is a mediterranean spur thigh, about 84 years old. We have had her for 5 years and we are still learning/ researching to make sure she keeps going for quite a few more years 😊

Warmer weather outside should have nothing to do with the temperature controlled brumation area wherever your tortoise is. If it does, there is a problem.

I would not take the tortoise out of brumation this early in the season, especially if the weather is not going to cooperate. I would make sure the brumation temps stay cold and constant until the weather warms up in spring and you've got some sunny days in a row, or an indoor area with the correct heating and lighting.

Read these for all the correct info on heating and lighting:

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

tortoiseforum.org

And more info on brumation here:

Tom's Brumation Thread

Every fall we get bombarded here on the forum with all sorts of questions and problems regarding hibernation and tortoises "slowing down" for winter. The purpose of this thread is to talk about all aspects of this subject, to dispel some of the myths and mysteries, and give a "how to" list of...

tortoiseforum.org

A room in a house is not a good place for a tortoise, unless that room has been made into a tortoise enclosure. It is too cold down on the floor, and yes, the tortoise will need a heat lamp.

 

[Tabby0318]

Warmer weather outside should have nothing to do with the temperature controlled brumation area wherever your tortoise is. If it does, there is a problem.

I would not take the tortoise out of brumation this early in the season, especially if the weather is not going to cooperate. I would make sure the brumation temps stay cold and constant until the weather warms up in spring and you've got some sunny days in a row, or an indoor area with the correct heating and lighting.

Read these for all the correct info on heating and lighting:

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

tortoiseforum.org

And more info on brumation here:

Tom's Brumation Thread

Every fall we get bombarded here on the forum with all sorts of questions and problems regarding hibernation and tortoises "slowing down" for winter. The purpose of this thread is to talk about all aspects of this subject, to dispel some of the myths and mysteries, and give a "how to" list of...

tortoiseforum.org

A room in a house is not a good place for a tortoise, unless that room has been made into a tortoise enclosure. It is too cold down on the floor, and yes, the tortoise will need a heat lamp.

Thanks. She is in the garage, but we will be getting a fridge for next time. The room is just for colder days, empty (no furniture etc) so she won't get hurt on anything, a large box in the corner with soil and her combi lamp, food and water trays etc.
I have read some of your posts previously, but will read them again.
I will leave her then until she fully wakes up when it gets warmer.