Tony is a Horsfield. He is almost 4yrs old.

Current weight is 448g (this time last year he was 296g).

He is 13cm back to front of shell and 17cm back of shell to nose of extended head.

He has a largish garden section in back with waterproof dark box shelter and a small vivarium indoors. (Next spring he will have a super large indoor vivarium) and his garden will be better landscaped.

In summer he's outdoors and I usually bring him in to the vivarium at night after he's gone sleep or in stormy weather etc.

The time has come to now stop him going outside (due to weather and season). I am wondering whether to wind him down for hibernation and use the fridge method or keep him awake for another year.

There's much conflicting information and 'evidence' about this.

He has never been hibernated before and I'm terrified of losing him if I get it wrong.

If I decide to do it (and I will very soon) I have a plan (below):

Can someone please read it and check i've got it right? Thanks.

***

WIND DOWN

1 week of normal. Test fridge for steady 5 degrees

1 week of no food , bath every two days, monitor faeces & weight.

Test fridge for steady 5 degrees

1 week of no food, 8hrs heat and light, bath every two days, monitor faeces & weight

Test fridge for steady 5 degrees

1 week of no food, 4hrs heat and light, bath every two days, monitor faeces & weight

Test fridge for steady 5 degrees

1 week of no food, no heat or light, only two baths, monitor faeces & weight

Test fridge for steady 5 degrees

HIBERNATION

put in large plastic container (with holes in top) containing mix of substrate, wood shavings and paper

place plastic container in homemade box of insulating sponge 

place whole package in fridge (not close to elements or fridge wall etc)

open fridge every day to let out stale air and let in fresh air.

open box twice a week to weigh Tony, check for signs of urination.

open box once a week to bathe Tony (not sure about this one, SEE BELOW)

Continue for 12 weeks unless Tony loses 10% or more of body weight or urinates. 

WAKING

Wake up slowly by removing from box and fridge, bathe in luke warm water and gradually introduce heat and light over couple of days. 

*Horsfield Tortoises:

Many care sheets and experts say avoid damp - due to shell rot and pneumonia etc

But then they say hibernate in damp/moist substrate to help avoid dehydration AND BATHE WITH A DAMP CLOTH BEFORE PUTTING BACK INTO A COLD FRIDGE!.

Most also suggest strongly that Horsfields are kept outside in garden, where invariably it is often damp for long periods (and try stopping your Horsfield from going on a roam out of his outdoor box/burrow when he/she feels like it).

Can anybody clarify on this?

Surely, if damp conditions are bad for them, then hibernation is the worst time for them to be in damp moist surroundings?

I suggest that you follow the hibernation process which the TPG advocates ( in "The Tortoise…" box.)

If the temperature is 3 - 5C, then a weighing every 3 weeks is ample, this can be done without opening the box.

"Open box once a week to bathe" - where did you read this ?

In the long term ( from 6 years) I suggest that you aim for a 5 month hibe. in semi-natural conditions.

I fully take your point about Horsfields & damp conditions. It my be a 'myth' which has not been challenged & is therefore reiterated. 

There are several TPG recommended breeders of Horsfields listed on the site, I suggest that you email them for advice on hibernation & their views about damp.

Please post your findings.

Best wishes,

Tom

ps Change your 'viv' to an open top box (tortoise 'table').

Yes, the weekly bathing seemed odd to me. As well as making tortoise damp would there be any real need for it?

I have various copy and pasted care sheets from around the web. I can't remember which one it was on. When I find it I will let you know.

In regard to the open top tortoise table - that is now the plan with the new one I am building for spring.

Thanks for your advice. I will post findings.

Weekly bathing whilst in hibe., absolutely not. 

I look forward to your posts. Start a new one in the "Hibe…." section.

Cheers,

Tom