Hi All!

Well hibernation is looming for my 2 and I'm so so so so worried!  Their wind down has started today and going o be doing the jeuvenile wind down.

I have weighed today (altough I do it weekly anyway) and measured but I am unsure that they are good weights.  I've tried looking for the Macintyre graph as they are horsefileds and cannot find it?

Tetley (4-5yrs) is 185 grams and is 93mm in length

Twiglet (3-4 yrs) is 114 grams and is 84mm in length

Are they ok to hibernate?

With regards to the 10% in weight loss during hibernation does this start from this weight or after the wind down period?

the background temp when heat lamp not on is 18C is this too warm for wind down?

Sorry for all the questions and there will be more as this is my first time and worried sick already.

Thanks,

Row

Hi Row,

I've checked your tortoies on the McIntyre Ratio; your larger tortoise is off the acle whilst the smaller one comes in the low to average bracket?

As with all tortoises if they have been healthy for the year have made a steady weight gain over the year and there are no signs of illness, abscesses etc they should be OK to hibernate.

Initially on wind-down you should carry on as usual (without feeding); for the 1st week (5 days). They require the heat to help digest food.

HTH
Darren

Sorry - the 10% weight loss starts whilst they are in hibernation