Hey. My hermann 3 yes old tortoise is normally very active but since the cold weather started a month ago he has slowed right down even though he's indoors, n he has been nestled in his house/shelter now for well over a week without coming out for food or water. I havent disturbed him incase he's gone into hibernation, how can I tell??? Should I still b putting his basking lamps on? Help please
Thank you
Re: Has he hibernated? Posted: 26/12/2010 by tortoise7
Hi Rachael and Happy Boxing day
Was you planning on hibernating your tortoise? is so then you need to follow the winddown procedure, and how you will hibernate e.g. box fridge? personally if I did not have everything in place and ready to go for hibernation then I would turn the temps up, encourage your tort to come out and eat, and prepare myself for next year. Torts will start to slow down this time of year, especially if your temps are low, perhaps the room you have your tort in has gone colder, so you will need to adjust the lamps to reflect this. I will wait until you reply to say what you are deciding to do, and would strongly suggest that you go to the care sheets and have a read, as they will help to you decide. Thanks Jane, Keya & Molly
Re: Has he hibernated? Posted: 26/12/2010 by VivTPG
Hi Rachael,
I agree with Jane, and up the temps, and give him a warm bath. The torts can sense a slightest drop in temps even in the house.
Hi. No I was planning on hibernating him but coz he hasn't come out in so long I wasnt sure if he had hibernated himself? Wat do u recommend I do now? Wake him with a warm bath? I have adjusted the lamp temperatures. Thank you
Just checked on Albert n he's alive but sleeping n he feels cold. Wat should I do? Let him sleep or wake him with a bath? Please reply asap Thank you
Re: Has he hibernated? Posted: 27/12/2010 by tortoise7
Hi Rachel Yes I would give him a warm bath, but you can wait until tomorrow morning as this will keep him in a normal routine. He won't go into deep hibernation if the temps are above 15. My little one is doing a very similar thing, every morning I turn her heat lamp on and leave for for a while, then I gently wake her up, bring her downstairs and give her a warm bath. After that I put her in a safe area of the living room where I put her food on a slate so that she has to walk over to it. I feel this is helping to stimulate her and keep her active. after she has fed I put her under her lamp in her pen, and then let her do what she wants, which is bury herself under her little cave and go back to sleep. Hope this helps. Personally I think you have made a wise decision not to hibernate this year, you can get yourself prepared for next year. Jane, Keya & Molly
