I have a 10yr old Herman who went into hibernation 2 days ago (when it was cold)and then woke up. Now some days he sleeps and other days he wakes up, all depending on the temperature. He has urinated and pooed so I dont know whether to bathe him so that he drinks and hope that he goes back into hibernation or start thinking about overwintering? HELP

Hello there, there is nothing more worrying than an " on/off " start to hibernation.I am no expert but have hibernated torts for over 40 years now. Sadly I did lose one about 6 years ago, but Albert was ancient, and had a good long life (over 80 years). My current mature T graeca ibera (Turkish spur-thighed), are in limbo. They each have an 85 litre storage box with 4 inches of moist soil. My unheated hallway to the garden is between 10 and 12 degrees each 24 hours. Some days they move... others nothing. This is 4 weeks earlier than last year, but well within expectations for past "experienced autumns". I did give mine water via tube after 3 weeks or so of no food, and twice-weekly baths. I have done this for years. I look forward to temperatures below 10 degrees but above 2-3 degrees Celsius...then I know they will be settled. The fact that yours has recently passed faeces might means they need longer at an inbetween  temperature to ensure they are empty. What do other members think? Let us share expertise to improve life for our torts.

Regards, David nr York

Hi.  I too have tortoise hibernation issues.  Mine put himself into hibernation back in September bizzarly at the start of that unseasonalby hot spell that we had here in the south.  He normally roams the garden during the summer and has always decided when to 'shut down' by burying himself.  All through the warm weather in September he stayed buried and asleep so I dug him up and put him in a cool shed - boxed.  Today I went to finalise his sleeping arrangements and make sure his box was padded and secure.  However, he had passed faeces - liquid and 'solid' and opened his eyes when I took him out. I am REALLY in a quandry as to what to do. We leave for holiday on Tuesday for 8 nights. i have previously read that if a tortoise wakes from hibernation during the winter, you must not let him go back to sleep. Does anybody have any advice please?..... (He is 70+ years and I would be distraught to lose him)

Hi.  I too have tortoise hibernation issues.  Mine put himself into hibernation back in September bizzarly at the start of that unseasonalby hot spell that we had here in the south.  He normally roams the garden during the summer and has always decided when to 'shut down' by burying himself.  All through the warm weather in September he stayed buried and asleep so I dug him up and put him in a cool shed - boxed.  Today I went to finalise his sleeping arrangements and make sure his box was padded and secure.  However, he had passed faeces - liquid and 'solid' and opened his eyes when I took him out. I am REALLY in a quandry as to what to do. We leave for holiday on Tuesday for 8 nights. i have previously read that if a tortoise wakes from hibernation during the winter, you must not let him go back to sleep. Does anybody have any advice please?..... (He is 70+ years and I would be distraught to lose him)

Thanks for your reply.It's nice to know mine isnt the only one who cant decide what to do. He's awake again today because the temperature is 15 but I've bathed him and he's drank so I'm going to keep doing that for 2 weeks and hope that the temperature drops.

Hi There

oh goody other people with the same problem.  My 7 year old Greek Spur Thigh is in and out of sleep.  i am bringing him in at night but he is out all day.  the last few days he has remained asleep BUT i found him eating a plant he hasnt looked at all summer so i guess he is not ready yet and infact i think i will wait another couple of weeks unitl the temperatures lower and then start the whole process again.  Any help or advice is greatly appreciated

I have given in and am getting a fridge delivered on Wednesday.Everyone just keeps telling me it's less worry when they are in a fridge and I'm done with worrying!!