Hibernation-Help?!

[LonesomeGeorge]

Hello,

I have bought a 3 year old Horsefields tortoise from a pet shop, it seems really active, eating, happy and healthy. However because it is November the petshop owner said that it will need to be hibernated late November? I thought that it wasn't safe to hibernate them until they are older? Advice would be appreciated!

[sandy]

Originally Posted by LonesomeGeorge

Hello,

I have bought a 3 year old Horsefields tortoise from a pet shop, it seems really active, eating, happy and healthy. However because it is November the petshop owner said that it will need to be hibernated late November? I thought that it wasn't safe to hibernate them until they are older? Advice would be appreciated!

When a tortoise is new to you, and late in the year, it's best not to hibernate this year. As you have to get used to the tort, and the tortoise to a new way of being kept.
Saying that, your tortoise could be a lot older than three years old, as unless the shop bred it (highly unlikely) then your tortoise might well hibernate him/herself. As horsfields have strong instincts to hibernate.
What do you think tortoises do in the wild?
They hibernate from the first year of hatching.
Only, I'll informed shops tell you they don't hibernate until older.

[Merlin M]

I agree with Sandy, don't hibernate this winter as he will take a few weeks just to settle in!

And yeah you can hibernate from any age, but I will admit I am too nervous to hibernate my hatchling!