Are you hibernating your tort for the first time?

[rosshan]

So am i, and im bricking it.

I found a THIS really helpfull article from the tortoise trust.

I hope it helps someone.

And if anyone has any tips from buying the right fridge to winding them down. Please post.

[cath]

I fridge hibernated my 2 adults Hermanns last year for the first time and must admit it was quite scary but once you have wound them down over the 3/4 wks required they are quite slow if not asleep anyway, what did shock me was the feel of them once in the fridge, like a stone lump, quite stiff, very weird, they wont worry me quite as much this year, but have also got a year old baby which I'm not sure what to do with yet, hmmm dont wanna think about it yet good luck with yours xxx

[Pies mam]

Thank you lm very wary and worried about doing this do we really have to in this country?

[rosshan]

Originally Posted by Pies mam

Thank you lm very wary and worried about doing this do we really have to in this country?

Yes, unfortunately we do. Its a important part of a torts life, and most experts will say its nessisary(sp?) for their health.

But we'll get through it. Together.

[ziggy's owner]

It's up to you, I will not be doing it this year, and no you don't have to if you don't want to it's your choice, some people never hibernate there torts

[Pies mam]

See this is the problem some say yes some say no l want to do the best by him but l am so confused and l dont want to hurt or even worse kill him!!! Hes very healthy strong little man albeit bad tempered lol l guess l best do some homework when do you start preparing them? One thing l wont be doing is putting him in the fridge!! LOL you learn something new all the time here lol thanks guys x

[shaz]

I will be doing it this year for the first time too. I think as long as there healthy then its the natural thing for them to do. Any help would be good thou, worring about doing it.

[jamestaylor18]

I'm in the same boat too, but a bit bigger boat as i have 2 horsefields to hibernate! Just so i don't miss my little babies too much im gettin a bearded dragon a week on wednesday! lol or thats my excuse for gettin one anyway!

im plannin on doin the fridge method too. From what i have heard, the wine coolers from argos are not very suitable. You need a proper fridge apparently!

[shaz]

Originally Posted by jamestaylor18

I'm in the same boat too, but a bit bigger boat as i have 2 horsefields to hibernate! Just so i don't miss my little babies too much im gettin a bearded dragon a week on wednesday! lol or thats my excuse for gettin one anyway!

im plannin on doin the fridge method too. From what i have heard, the wine coolers from argos are not very suitable. You need a proper fridge apparently!

Yeah that sounds like a good ideal getting the bearded dragon. There stunning looking animals. I would love one but i couldnt feed them bugs lol.

Fridge is a good ideal from what ive read. I do need to look into it more thou as im unsure about the whole winding down process too.

Would be good if someone can put a link of the sorts of fridges that they use so as we know what were looking for.

[16 shells]

If you follow the process of winding down and tort has been healthy, wait till after hibernation after rehidrating and warm up, it's wonderous to me, a brand new tort it seems, it amazes me every time.