22-11-2010, 08:35 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Egg
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Manchester, England
Posts: 4
|
Help! Correct weights for Marginated hibernation
Hi,
I have a three year old male Testudo marginata, who have never been hibernated before. I have a larder fridge set up and running for him, and have decided to use a large margarine tub for his hibernating quarters. I decided this year would be a good time to hibernate him, and have reduced his light cycle in his indoor house over the past three weeks and also started reducing his food. He has now been going without food for the past week. He seems to have lost a fair amount of weight since two months ago, however. His stats are: 167 mm SCL 710g September 675g November I'm finding this really worrying, and as I've never hibernated a tort before I'm starting to change my mind and want keep him up through the winter again. Please help! I don't know if this excessive weight loss is normal, and whether I can just start feeding hm again and increasing his light cycle. Any recommendations would be a God send. |
22-11-2010, 11:21 PM | #2 |
Super Moderator
Adult
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 14,171
|
That last and the first weight are to low for your male. At that size he should weigh around 800g. I personally wouldn't hibernate him at the weight he is now.
Danny
__________________
|
23-11-2010, 02:21 PM | #3 |
Junior Member
Egg
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Manchester, England
Posts: 4
|
Hi,
Thanks for the advice. I mainly feed him weeds, like dandelions, clover, etc and top it up with watercress, greens and rocket. I was under the impression that pelleted food was quite bad for him. Would you suggest a particular type? |
24-11-2010, 11:35 AM | #4 |
Junior Member
Egg
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Manchester, England
Posts: 4
|
I was thinking of getting him some 'Komodo Tortoise Dandelion' http://www.shelledwarriorsshop.co.uk...313-1012-p.asp from the shelledwarriors shop, it looks pretty good, and I'm assuming the shop wouldn't sell anything unsuitable..(?)
|
Tags |
advice, hibernation, marginated, weight |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|