Pros and COns of Hibernating Juveniles (16 months)

[houseofcutler]

Hi Guys,

I have been looking through the recent threads about hibernation and am thinking of not hibernating my two torts, they are both 16 months old. I also seem to have left my preparation for this a little late.

Was just wondering what the pros and cons would be around hibernating young torts. It has been mentioned to me that hibernation helps avoid rapid growth. They live indoors in a table which is controlled with a thermostat. I would have to go for the fridge method if I did hibernate (the torts) as I don't have a garage.

Any thoughts are appreciated as I just want to ensure my torts are happy and healthy.

Thanks

[BeatBeat]

Will be interested in responses to this thread as I not hibinated my 3 year olds yet.

[Ozric Jonathan]

Hi Ben

I don't think you have left it too late since there is plenty of winter head of us. If you do decide to hibernate them then you could have them down by christmas and if they hibernated for 8 weeks it would only be the start of March when you got them up.

There are different views about it being a good idea or not.

[sky]

My 16 month old torts will be on wind down the end of the month.. it will be there 1st
I find it scary...but it does get easier each time you do it!!

[EJ]

There are no Pros for hibernating a tortoise unless it is of breeding age and condition.
The Pros for hibernating tortoise of breeding age is that for some species the hibernation period sometimes serves as a trigger for breeding behavior.

The cons... It puts your tortoise under undue stress that opens the door for many unnecessary health problems... or death.

I can't remember any posts where a tortoise has developed health issues or died when all the nutritional and environmental needs are met.

As to its effect on the growth rate of a tortoise... there is no evidence to support the idea that the rate of growth has any effect on the tortoise if the environmental and nutritional components are all in balance.

[houseofcutler]

Thanks for the input guys.

I will continue to investigate but I am liking the idea of over wintering them as i can continue enjoying them over winter and don't need to worry about putting them in the fridge

[Levi]

Originally Posted by houseofcutler

Thanks for the input guys.

I will continue to investigate but I am liking the idea of over wintering them as i can continue enjoying them over winter and don't need to worry about putting them in the fridge

You must of been quite keen to hibernate them if you have already bought them their own hibernation fridge.