07-10-2017, 04:09 PM | #1 |
Member
Incubating
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 210
|
Low weight
Hi everyone, for the past five years I’ve successfully hibernated my two young torts without any problems. This year I was surprised to find my male tort is below the safe weight recommendation on the Jackson ratio. He is active and healthy and eats well. My female is at the normal range. I’m now wondering should I risk hibernation or over winter them both ?
|
07-10-2017, 07:05 PM | #2 | |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Kent UK
Posts: 12,146
|
Quote:
I never use it now, as I watch my tortoises through out the season, if they are eating and acting normally, and have clear bright eyes and a dry nose. I leave them to it. Mine hibernate in the soil of my greenhouse:0) Just to say males are probably the worse for losing weight this time of the year, as they are still active but not eating as much as the days are shorter and colder. My male is always the last to go down. I dont weigh my adults any more either:0)
__________________
< > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends |
|
10-10-2017, 04:52 PM | #3 | |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SE England
Posts: 4,262
|
Quote:
__________________
Horsfields, Spur Thighed, & Marginata |
|
12-10-2017, 06:19 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Sub Adult
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 1,400
|
Thanks Sandy your guidance on the male is really useful as Bertie has started losing weight, but looks very bright eyed etc. He stopped eating beginning October and I couldn't tempt him with his favourites.
__________________
Jan Horsfields - Bertie & Beatrice |
16-12-2017, 04:48 PM | #5 |
Member
Incubating
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 210
|
Just an update I decided to go ahead and hibernate both as normal . They have been down since end of October and weights remain stable up to this point. I’m keeping a close check on things and so far so good.
|
18-12-2017, 08:09 AM | #6 | |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Kent UK
Posts: 12,146
|
Quote:
Just keep monitoring any problems using your head not heart, just get them up:0)
__________________
< > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends |
|
19-12-2017, 03:40 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SE England
Posts: 4,262
|
well done ! it is scarey but should be ok with constant monitoring if really worried. CB
__________________
Horsfields, Spur Thighed, & Marginata |
19-12-2017, 06:04 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Sub Adult
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 1,400
|
Just to say thanks as this is a reminder for me to weight my two - I was a bit worried about Bertie's weight this year.
__________________
Jan Horsfields - Bertie & Beatrice |
18-02-2018, 04:52 PM | #9 |
Member
Incubating
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 210
|
Update on my two still fast asleep. Saffron has lost nothing Nutmeg a little. Really beginning to miss them both now so think I might wake them early March dependent on the weather.
|
19-02-2018, 02:59 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Sub Adult
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 1,400
|
Yes,I'm waiting a bit longer this year. One because it is still chilly and the forecast is to stay cold and the second, to see if they wake up in their own time. Perhaps Io should say a third - I have become more confident!
__________________
Jan Horsfields - Bertie & Beatrice |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|