Hibernation worries thread

**sarah** · 01-10-2008, 09:20 AM

Have you got any worries about hibernation? Post them in here and we will all try to help put your mind at rest

Jillyp · 01-10-2008, 09:43 AM

Where to start

. This is my first year hibernating the 3 and 5 year olds that I've acquired.

They've previously hibernated in a garage so will do the same and want to hibernate them for the least amount of time that is safe(to save my nerves).

So, I would like to know full details of when to start winding down the food and how else to prepare them. I'm sure I'll have more questions as we go along.

Thanks for this thread.

biker5 · 01-10-2008, 10:06 AM

Hi , i also am worried about my first hibernation and when to start winding down?
My little hermanns is only 48mm and 30g and i have had him since may.
How long also should the wind down period be?
I have (i think ) decided on the fridge method as the temps in the far north of scotland are so up and down over winter it would be much easier to control.
Great Post for first timers like me Cheers!
Liam

**Bindi** · 01-10-2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarah

Have you got any worries about hibernation? Post them in here and we will all try to help put your mind at rest

Prepare to be inundated Sarah!

**sarah** · 01-10-2008, 11:15 AM

Well its best to talk about these worries because 9 times out of 10 there is someone else who is has the same problem!!

This is the best care sheet on hibernation http://www.thetortoisehouse.com/Hibernation04.htm

CJ · 01-10-2008, 12:55 PM

Great idea for a thread!

I'm unsure how long to hibernate for. Charlie is 3 and has never been hibernated - I didn't hibernate last year as I only got him in October, but
definitely am this year. Ruby is 2 and has been hibernated since being
a hatchling. I got her in August and am sure she's in great health so will
be hibernating her too.

But for how long?

**sarah** · 01-10-2008, 01:21 PM

Most first timers hibernate there tortoise for 8 weeks, and if all going well they might leave them in a little longer.

Annecaroline · 01-10-2008, 01:36 PM

I'm also worried. Both torties are three years old, not been hibernated before as one was not too well. Now one of them seems to be on wind down while other (who had previously been ill - last year) is quite hyper. The vet told me not to hibernate her as she is underweight. Should i separate them? Am concerned that they will miss each other - sounds silly but before when they were separated they were looking for each other.

Anne

sandy · 01-10-2008, 02:05 PM

I hibernate my hatchlings once they reach 30grms or over, for a minimum of eight weeks, if they are not loosing weight then I leave them for up to another two weeks, but no more.
Anyone hibernating a new tortoise to them, should be treated the same way. This is for the keepers sake not the tortoises

Adults can hibernate up to three months or just over. Depending on the weather and how you are hibernating them.

**Bindi** · 01-10-2008, 02:13 PM

I'm hibernating using the box method, and have just been given a polystyrene box (from a veggie man) would this be ok as my inner box?

01-10-2008, 09:20 AM	#1
sarah Administrator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Newcastle-Under-Lyme Posts: 11,914	Hibernation worries thread Have you got any worries about hibernation? Post them in here and we will all try to help put your mind at rest __________________ Click: www.shelledwarriorsshop.co.uk STRUGGLING TO FIND WEEDS? LOOK AT OUR DRIED WEEDS 'READY TO FEED' Home of 'Grow Your Own Food' Bearded Dragon, Tortoise, Rabbit, Hamster seed mixes from 89p FREE POST Livefood, Thermostats, Housing, Heating, Mercury Vapour bulbs, UVB etc etc CHEAP PRICES TORTOISES ARE MY PASSION

01-10-2008, 09:43 AM	#2
Jillyp Member Hatchling Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 727	Where to start . This is my first year hibernating the 3 and 5 year olds that I've acquired. They've previously hibernated in a garage so will do the same and want to hibernate them for the least amount of time that is safe(to save my nerves). So, I would like to know full details of when to start winding down the food and how else to prepare them. I'm sure I'll have more questions as we go along. Thanks for this thread. __________________ Jill

01-10-2008, 10:06 AM	#3
biker5 Member Incubating Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 102	Hibernation Hi , i also am worried about my first hibernation and when to start winding down? My little hermanns is only 48mm and 30g and i have had him since may. How long also should the wind down period be? I have (i think ) decided on the fridge method as the temps in the far north of scotland are so up and down over winter it would be much easier to control. Great Post for first timers like me Cheers! Liam

01-10-2008, 11:15 AM	#5
sarah Administrator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Newcastle-Under-Lyme Posts: 11,914	Well its best to talk about these worries because 9 times out of 10 there is someone else who is has the same problem!! This is the best care sheet on hibernation http://www.thetortoisehouse.com/Hibernation04.htm __________________ Click: www.shelledwarriorsshop.co.uk STRUGGLING TO FIND WEEDS? LOOK AT OUR DRIED WEEDS 'READY TO FEED' Home of 'Grow Your Own Food' Bearded Dragon, Tortoise, Rabbit, Hamster seed mixes from 89p FREE POST Livefood, Thermostats, Housing, Heating, Mercury Vapour bulbs, UVB etc etc CHEAP PRICES TORTOISES ARE MY PASSION

01-10-2008, 01:21 PM	#7
sarah Administrator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Newcastle-Under-Lyme Posts: 11,914	Most first timers hibernate there tortoise for 8 weeks, and if all going well they might leave them in a little longer. __________________ Click: www.shelledwarriorsshop.co.uk STRUGGLING TO FIND WEEDS? LOOK AT OUR DRIED WEEDS 'READY TO FEED' Home of 'Grow Your Own Food' Bearded Dragon, Tortoise, Rabbit, Hamster seed mixes from 89p FREE POST Livefood, Thermostats, Housing, Heating, Mercury Vapour bulbs, UVB etc etc CHEAP PRICES TORTOISES ARE MY PASSION

01-10-2008, 12:55 PM	#6
CJ Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Herts Posts: 1,280	Great idea for a thread! I'm unsure how long to hibernate for. Charlie is 3 and has never been hibernated - I didn't hibernate last year as I only got him in October, but definitely am this year. Ruby is 2 and has been hibernated since being a hatchling. I got her in August and am sure she's in great health so will be hibernating her too. But for how long?

01-10-2008, 01:36 PM	#8
Annecaroline Junior Member Egg Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Epping Posts: 18	I'm also worried. Both torties are three years old, not been hibernated before as one was not too well. Now one of them seems to be on wind down while other (who had previously been ill - last year) is quite hyper. The vet told me not to hibernate her as she is underweight. Should i separate them? Am concerned that they will miss each other - sounds silly but before when they were separated they were looking for each other. Anne

01-10-2008, 02:05 PM	#9
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,144	I hibernate my hatchlings once they reach 30grms or over, for a minimum of eight weeks, if they are not loosing weight then I leave them for up to another two weeks, but no more. Anyone hibernating a new tortoise to them, should be treated the same way. This is for the keepers sake not the tortoises Adults can hibernate up to three months or just over. Depending on the weather and how you are hibernating them. __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

01-10-2008, 02:13 PM	#10
Bindi Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,157	I'm hibernating using the box method, and have just been given a polystyrene box (from a veggie man) would this be ok as my inner box? __________________

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