Yes or no...etc

[Phil76]

I know this is probably the most tedious question on earth, but it's one that I have no definitive answer for, and I cannot find one on the net, so here goes.

When I first got my tort (herman) I was told that hibernation was essential, full stop.

When I took him to the vet for a routine check the vet said that captive torts in the UK do need to be hibernated.

On various forums I have seen some say yes and some say no.

Is there anyone on here who has a herman who has never hibernated it and if so how is the tort (age,activity etc.)?

Thanks in advance

PS. I don't want any advice on hibernation or anything, just stone cold facts from people who have hands on experiance. For the record Oscar is healthy, on weight and super strong

[Phil76]

Sorry, that should have been:

When I took him to the vet for a routine check the vet said that captive torts in the UK do NOT need to be hibernated.

Thanks

[swad1000]

You're not going to find stone cold facts, as it is all based on personal opinion.

Some will say you need to hibernate others will say you don't have too.

To get stone cold facts, you will need to find someone or group that has had a large number of tortoises some of which have been hibernated for the last 100 years, and some which have not been hibernated for the last 100 years.

Then compare the health, fertility and longevity of the two groups.

The only fact I can offer you is no such study has ever been conducted.

So all you can do is ask for peoples opinions, and make your own mind up.

[Phil76]

Thanks Swad,

that's what I'm looking for, someone who has a/numberous healthy Herman Tort(s) who has never hibernated...there must be someone out there, even with torts that are 10,15,20 years old...

Thanks again

[Mrs Frog]

I have 4 hermanns,one was hibernated before I got her,and last year I overwintered the other 3,I didnt think they were happy being kept awake,this year they are being hibernated as they look like thats what they want to do,it was like they knew what to do,and I feel they will be happier having a nice long sleep,my opinion is that if they are healthy and you follow the advice given then your tortoise will do well.I have bought my torts their own fridge as I feel that I can contol the temps better

[Alan1]

mine are 3yo and I didn't hibernate them last year or this year

[alice_boots]

My Hermanns is 8 years old and has never been hibernated (due to being underweight last year and miss-information the years before)

He is perfectly healthy, and I'm sure that torts can never be hibernated and be healthy, but I like to keep my tortoises life as natural as possible, so would like to hibernate next year.

I know that it is a worrying thing, to hibernate, but it is most natural for them and they seem happier when they are being hibernated.

Alice

[tartaruga amore]

i have had tortoises for getting on 30 years, my oldest a spur is 70, my next oldest is in his 30's [ also a spur }
i never hibernate them, they are happy/healthy

i do have a group of hermans, that i have never hibernated, i have only had these a few years, and apart from one female that i was given late summer this year, all are happy/healthy

you may want to look into other animals that can hibernate, and the reasons why they do

[EJ]

Please don't mislead the OP... there are stone cold facts... reference the Testudo group, RES, Desert tortoises... many more. As I've said many times before... they only 'hibernate' if conditions drop to poor levels for survival.

Originally Posted by swad1000

You're not going to find stone cold facts, as it is all based on personal opinion.

Some will say you need to hibernate others will say you don't have too.

To get stone cold facts, you will need to find someone or group that has had a large number of tortoises some of which have been hibernated for the last 100 years, and some which have not been hibernated for the last 100 years.

Then compare the health, fertility and longevity of the two groups.

The only fact I can offer you is no such study has ever been conducted.

So all you can do is ask for peoples opinions, and make your own mind up.

[EJ]

I recieved 2 hermans back about 14 years ago as adults. They were never hibernated their entire lives. You can find many stories like this.

I don't think anyone can prove that hibernation either improved or extended the life of their animals.

On the other hand I know you can pull posts from the archives that their tortoise either died in hibernation or shortly there after.

Originally Posted by Phil76

Thanks Swad,

that's what I'm looking for, someone who has a/numberous healthy Herman Tort(s) who has never hibernated...there must be someone out there, even with torts that are 10,15,20 years old...

Thanks again