Hi

I'm looking at fridges for hibernation and wondered if anyone had used  or knows if the 'argos value' table top fridge (its in the latest catalogue page 606 for £79.99) is any good! 

thanks

Hi just had a look and its looks fine, it looks to be a fridge only (no freezer section).  You would just need to run it a few weeks to stabilise the temps.

Regards Vivienne

Thanks, I think I'll order that one then I can get it set up. This will be Trudys first hibernation (I'm ashamed to say that I've chickened out previous years!!!) I'm also a bit concerned about her weight she is 4 years old weighs 450g and her length is 12.5cm which looking at the jacksons ratio looks to me boarder line under weight!?

Sara

Hi, as long as she has been eating well throughout the year and her weight is good now she will be ok.

Good luck Vivienne

Hiya,

Would you please confirm what species of tortoise Trudy is?

If she's a Hermanns or Spur-Thigh she actually comes out a little heavy on the Jackson ration:-

Weight (grams) divided by (weight(cms) weight(cms) x weight(cms))

450/(12.5x12.5x12.5) = 0.23

the Jackson Ratio suggests "of above 0.23: Possibly too heavy, check for
puffiness (water retention)".

As Viv has said, providing she has been healthy and has gained suffuicient weight (which she appears to have done) she should be fine, though do check for any puffiness just to be on the safe side.

HTH
Darren

Hi

She is a hermanns, she doesn't look puffy and has had no health problems, but I'll take her to the vet to get her checked over.

Thanks

Ho Trudy,

It could well be she's absolutely fine.

Please let us know how you get on

Darren

Hi Darren,

I took Trudy to the vet who said she was in good health and ok to hibernate:)

I am in the 3rd week now of winddown and Trudy is now weighing 425g.

I've had my fridge up and running for 4 weeks but I'm still struddling a bit with the temperature, it is staying a consistant temperature but its slighly out from the recommended temp: mine is maximum: 8.9, Minimum:2.9 and the average temp is 6.6 degrees C. 

Oh the stress!!!!

Sara

Hi Trudy.
Are these the temperatures within the hibernation box and what substrate are you using please? The temperature within the substrate will be the temperature your tortoise is at. Depending on the size of your fridge you can also use a ploy box, this will protect the tortoise from the temperature fluctuations and the temperature in the polybox will be stable and fluctuate less then the temperetures within the fridge.

Hi

The thermometer probe is in the box i was planning on using~which is a food storage box(with air holes in it). I was going to use shredded newspaper  but I've not put it yet~ shall I put the paper in and see what temp i get? or do you suggest a different substrate? What is a ploy box? and where can I get one from?

Sara

ha poly box(I'm with it now!) I wont have room for one unless I can make a smaller version! 

Hi Sara,

Supermarkets with fish counters have their fish delivered in them and will no doubt give them away. You'll need to leave the open box outside in the rain to rid it of the smell.

I'd be inclined to try paper first and if you can't get the temps to stabilise consider using a soil/sand mix.

Adding bottled water to the fridge will also assist in stabilising the temperature.

HTH
Darren

Looks kike I've cracked the temperature trauma!!! I've ended up using 50/50 sand/soil, so now my latest worry is being able to see if she has urinated or not! She doesn't appear to have done anything for 7 days now.

Also can you recommend a good thermometer with alarm~ I want to buy a back up to the one I've got.

thanks

Hi, here is a link to various thermometers, http://www.kimbosreptileworld.co.uk/thermometers-scales-c-22.html

Hope this helps, regards Vivienne