Hi there, this is the first time I have hibernated Albus my Ibera. I am concerned about his weight loss. He entered hibernation at 1450g and after 1 month is now 1415g. I followed the guidelines meticulously and we are using the fridge method with careful monitoring of temps. Should I take him out of hibernation? I'm so worried about him. He was a rescue tortoise so have no prior hibernation info. Please help.

What substrate are you using to hibernate him in? Do you have a humidity guage in there and some water for humidity? Most weight is lost at the beginning of hibernation, but the area must be fairly humid to prevent excess weight loss. How long has be been in the fridge. If using shredded paper or very dry substrate, this has the potential to draw moisture away from the tortoise which will casue weight loss. I would not take him out just yet as this is not a lot of weight to lise, depending on how long he has been in. Is it possible that he has urinated at all?

He has been in 1 month. There is water in there but no humidity gauge. He hasn't urinated or anything. I'm using soil and sand mix substrate as recommended by a forum.

Is the soil/sand bone dry? If so try misting it regularly ;)

Sue

www.tortsmad.com

It wasn't when he went in but it does look a bit dry now. Will give it a go. Thank you.

It wasn't when he went in but it does look a bit dry now. Will give it a go. Thank you.

Fridges are quite drying, so might be worth sticking a humidiy guage in there too, just so you can keep yoru eye on it ;)