MY HIBERNATION LAST YEAR...AND THIS YEAR TOO... - Page 3

**Eire_Ade** · 05-11-2007, 06:50 PM

Hi Meshell,

I looked up your tortoises statistics against the jacksons ratio in the link http://www.tortoisecentre.co.uk/jackson%20ratio.htm and as far as I can see you are still safe to continue to wind down and hibernate, really its down to your gut feelings too, you know your tort we dont.

Yes 22g loss in a week is a lot, I would keep a close eye on him / her.

Ade

ME SHELL · 05-11-2007, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eire_Ade

Hi Meshell,

I looked up your tortoises statistics against the jacksons ratio in the link http://www.tortoisecentre.co.uk/jackson%20ratio.htm and as far as I can see you are still safe to continue to wind down and hibernate, really its down to your gut feelings too, you know your tort we dont.

Yes 22g loss in a week is a lot, I would keep a close eye on him / her.

Ade

Thanks Ade, I'll not put the light on for so long this week, I was putting it on for 4 hours so I'll cut that down to 2 and next week I'll knock it off completely

prizetortoise · 11-11-2007, 12:05 PM

if you are using the fridge method for hybernation don't forget to open the door daily. this is to bring fresh air into the fridge also if there is a power cut the tortoise should be ok because the fridge should keep cool for a few hours with no power. i always keep a temp gauge in the fridge to keep an eye on the temp.

KayMarie · 18-09-2008, 10:34 AM

I have a few questions for hibernation this year

Whats the most they can loose whilst winding down?

Whats the most they can loose whilst in hibernation?

What about creepy crawlies in the garage getting in the box?

Also, a bit of a silly one - Do you physically get them out of the box during hibernation to weigh them? doesn't that disturb them?

Thank you in advance

Signed - A very anxious first time hibernator

sandy · 18-09-2008, 11:01 AM

As long as their weight is still within the safe zone of the Jackson ratio, then it does not matter how much they lose while winding down.
I think its one percent of body weight per month for loss during hibernation.
Creepy crawlies wont hurt a hibernating tortoise, only scare you<g>.
And yes you get them phyically out of the box to weigh them. In thirty years I have never had a tortoise wake up while weighing them.

helen1 · 18-09-2008, 06:53 PM

I have just checked my records for last year and a few of my tortoises.....they were allowed to wind down naturally out side....who weighed in the 300g - 400g range...lost around 30g in their wind down.....and then lost around 15 to 20g in hibernation.....They hibernated for between 15 and 21 weeks...

KayMarie · 22-09-2008, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandy

Creepy crawlies wont hurt a hibernating tortoise, only scare you<g>.

LOL

Thanks Sandy for your reply

karenhitchcock · 29-10-2008, 07:19 PM

hi,i am considering hibernating my 5 year old female Dolly,but am very anxious ,when should i start the process of allowing her to wind down she is healthy and this will be her first time for hibernating any instructions will be appreciated thanks karen

judith · 30-10-2008, 07:16 PM

That is the cutest photo I have ever seen!!!!

betty and frank · 01-11-2008, 01:19 PM

Hi I have horses as well as torts and Bed the ponies on Hemp it has a trade name of Abrouise (dont know if I have spelt it right which if you go to your nearest Animal feed centre do a 20 k bag for about £8 has no addatives Hope this helps

05-11-2007, 06:50 PM	#21
Eire_Ade Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ireland Posts: 8,422	Hi Meshell, I looked up your tortoises statistics against the jacksons ratio in the link http://www.tortoisecentre.co.uk/jackson%20ratio.htm and as far as I can see you are still safe to continue to wind down and hibernate, really its down to your gut feelings too, you know your tort we dont. Yes 22g loss in a week is a lot, I would keep a close eye on him / her. Ade __________________ Ade ----------------------------------------------- Y.O.B 1971 (40 years young! ) My Tortoises :- Dug (Testudo Graeca Ibera Terrestris (Syrian), Penny, JJ (JennyJack), Buttons and Gem (Testudo Graeca Ibera)

18-09-2008, 10:34 AM	#24
KayMarie Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire :D Posts: 1,252	I have a few questions for hibernation this year Whats the most they can loose whilst winding down? Whats the most they can loose whilst in hibernation? What about creepy crawlies in the garage getting in the box? Also, a bit of a silly one - Do you physically get them out of the box during hibernation to weigh them? doesn't that disturb them? Thank you in advance Signed - A very anxious first time hibernator Last edited by KayMarie; 18-09-2008 at 10:37 AM.

18-09-2008, 11:01 AM	#25
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	As long as their weight is still within the safe zone of the Jackson ratio, then it does not matter how much they lose while winding down. I think its one percent of body weight per month for loss during hibernation. Creepy crawlies wont hurt a hibernating tortoise, only scare you<g>. And yes you get them phyically out of the box to weigh them. In thirty years I have never had a tortoise wake up while weighing them. __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

18-09-2008, 06:53 PM	#26
helen1 Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NORTH WEST Posts: 1,977	I have just checked my records for last year and a few of my tortoises.....they were allowed to wind down naturally out side....who weighed in the 300g - 400g range...lost around 30g in their wind down.....and then lost around 15 to 20g in hibernation.....They hibernated for between 15 and 21 weeks... __________________ I CARE FOR TORTS

30-10-2008, 07:16 PM	#29
judith Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bristol Posts: 21	That is the cutest photo I have ever seen!!!! __________________ mum to 5 kids, a husband, millie the boxer and Murray our horsfield!!! (2 yrs old) xx

11-11-2007, 12:05 PM	#23
prizetortoise Junior Member Egg Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 4	if you are using the fridge method for hybernation don't forget to open the door daily. this is to bring fresh air into the fridge also if there is a power cut the tortoise should be ok because the fridge should keep cool for a few hours with no power. i always keep a temp gauge in the fridge to keep an eye on the temp.

29-10-2008, 07:19 PM	#28
karenhitchcock Junior Member Egg Join Date: May 2007 Location: exeter, devon Posts: 16	hi,i am considering hibernating my 5 year old female Dolly,but am very anxious ,when should i start the process of allowing her to wind down she is healthy and this will be her first time for hibernating any instructions will be appreciated thanks karen

01-11-2008, 01:19 PM	#30
betty and frank Junior Member Egg Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: west sussex Posts: 7	Hi I have horses as well as torts and Bed the ponies on Hemp it has a trade name of Abrouise (dont know if I have spelt it right which if you go to your nearest Animal feed centre do a 20 k bag for about £8 has no addatives Hope this helps

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