Torts out of hibernation

[Ajay]

Hey Ade, managed just over 6weeks so not too bad, and indeed, always better safe than sorry!

[Eire_Ade]

Hi Ajay,

Dont beat yourself up I had one of mine last year had to get up at 6 weeks because she lost too much weight, I would rather that than have to bury her.

You did the right thing, plenty more hibernations in the future for longer.

You did it, thats the main thing to remember and no fatalities in the process.

Ade

[kimmerz]

I'm gunna do the big first hibernation next year as i was just way to scared this year, specially my smallest, she's proper itsy bitsy, anyway when I do it i'm opting for the fridge method, but I am curious about the box method as round my area temps have gone above 5 degrees C most days and wouldn't they wake up?

[Ajay]

Ours were in a box in our garden room as not on the central heating system so stayed perfectly cold.

If the temps fluctuate that much they would wake up so it's unsuitable for hibernation, as you're not hibernating this year maybe use it as a trial run with a thermometer? Try to find a place that would work for next year. If you do decide to use a fridge measure the temps well before you need it for torts as you may have to mess about with settings etc to get it stable

[sandy]

Five degrees is the right temps to keep torts hibernated. They dont wake up if they are above
about fifty grams, unless the temps stay high for a prolonged period.
Obviously the smaller the tortoise the quicker they wake up.
I have just hibernated some of my August hatchlings that weigh 25-30 grms each.
Smaller then they are still up, even I chicken out when below 20grms<g>.

[kimmerz]

Well my smallest is 36 grams and was born about july, she's a funny one she eats and eats and then power walks it all off lol, she must here me chatting to my pooch whos on the podgy side saying come on rex if I take you here there and everywhere I can get some weeds and you can lose some wight lol so she must think ah walkings the way to go lol.
anyway after completely straying from the point, I think I'll do the fridge method as I'll feel more in control, I was just curious as I usually go by the temperature outside that my car tells me so it's probs complertly diffrent temps in a shed anyway.

[aramintalovegrove]

My boy is just under the 10% loss mark and 8 weeks is up on Tuesday, I plan to keep a very close eye on him and keep him a short while longer in his fridge. Im really impressed at how he has done this being his first hibernation, but he has been an absolute star with the changes he has made since coming to live with me.

[sandy]

Well done above<g> sorry dont know your name.
Unless you try leaving your tortoise a little longer in hibernation, you wont know the full
benifits of this. Its not easy to do, and still scary, but far better for your tortoise to be fed on
weeds rather than shop bought food.

[aramintalovegrove]

If its me Sandy its Sam, otherwise sorry Ive just stolen someone elses praise! :P

[sarah]

Well done everyone who have hibernated their tortoises for the first time