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| Spur-thighed Tortoise awake! Posted: 18/02/2017 by waldronpg |
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Hi - the weather has perked up today (18th Feb) and so has my tortoise. He has been hibernating since mid-late October with out problems, but I guess it is now on the cusp of 4 months. Do I now get him out and start heat, food, bathing routine even though we are not yet into March? His head is out in his hibernation box (temp in his hibernation place is about 7 degrees C today), and he has moved position a little. | |
| Re: Spur-thighed Tortoise awake! Posted: 18/02/2017 by tomtortoise@tovevalley.net |
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Hello, They do move a bit in hibe.. How old is it & where exactly is the box ? "About 7C" is a poor indicator. I'd get a max/min thermo' as well as a digital one with a probe. Tom | |
| Re: Spur-thighed Tortoise awake! Posted: 19/02/2017 by waldronpg |
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Tom He is about 50 years old, and has spent the winter in the garage, in a layered box with earth and a lid. We do have a maximum and minimum thermo and check him everyday, allowing air to circulate etc as garages can be unpredictable in terms of temperature. Minimum temp over winter has been 1 degree C and maximum 9 degrees. Currently 7 degrees C in his box. Paul | |
| Re: Spur-thighed Tortoise awake! Posted: 19/02/2017 by tomtortoise@tovevalley.net |
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Paul, 1C is dangerously low, similarly 9C is too high. It's good you have a max/min., but you have to act on that which it indicates, in this case temps' out of control. Garages are good for hibe. provided an area is sectioned off & insulated sufficiently to provide a microclimate with a range of 3-5C. The box should be, & no doubt is, on the floor which is normally the coldest place. From what you've stated, I'd stop the hibe. & using the max/min organise a decent microclimate for next year. Tom | |
| Re: Spur-thighed Tortoise awake! Posted: 20/02/2017 by waldronpg |
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Tom - thanks for this. We will now get him up and indoors with heat-lamp etc. Some good advice for next year! Paul | |