Hibernation

Lynseyattwood · 22-09-2008, 12:32 PM

I am getting worried about hibernating my horsfield who is two years old. I have only had him since May this year and the thought of hibernating him terrifies me!! I don't want anything to happen to him.

I am soon to be receiving my mega ray bulb when they are back in stock from Darren's shop.

Any help would be much appreciated!

sandy · 22-09-2008, 12:43 PM

All keepers panic when it comes to hibernation, including the likes of me, who have been hibernating tortoises for over thirty years. The difference being, I know they come out of it happy as larry

If you follow the steps/instructions all will be well.
I know there are lots of keepers on here that felt the same as you last year, and now can hibernate their torts with more ease.
Have a look at the instructions on www.thetortoisehouse.com

TortMad · 22-09-2008, 04:54 PM

Try not to worry

I know easier said than done

Ask as many questions as you need to

Shelled Warriors is great as we are all here to help and reasure each other

Have a look at the link Sandy has given, it is an excellent hibernation guide, I use Lisa's experience as my Hibernation Bible.

CJ · 22-09-2008, 06:32 PM

It's my first year hibernating my torts too, and it's a scary business!!

But have a look at the link to the tortoise house that Sandy gave, it's
really good and looks very straightforward to follow. It put my mind at rest
after reading it!

Lynseyattwood · 23-09-2008, 01:16 PM

Thanks Sandy, I have printed the pages out.. Roughly when should hibernation start and end for my 2 year old horsfield?

Lynseyattwood · 23-09-2008, 03:23 PM

I contacted the place where I bought my horsfield from, enquiring whether or not I should hibernate my tortoise. I got him in May this year and is two years old.

"You would always miss the first winter you have the tortoise no matter what age you have bought"

It was a little vague response, but now I don't know whether to hibernate him this winter. It is really worrying me and it would be a weight off of my mind if I didn't have to this year, but all I want is the best for his health..

Lolly8 · 24-09-2008, 12:37 AM

I think it's ok to miss the first winter.You will know your tortoise better and you are probably more confident about hibernation by the next winter.That's what I'll do.I got mine in July and I'm just not ready to hibernate him this winter.

22-09-2008, 12:32 PM	#1
Lynseyattwood Member Hatchling Join Date: May 2008 Location: London Posts: 656	Hibernation I am getting worried about hibernating my horsfield who is two years old. I have only had him since May this year and the thought of hibernating him terrifies me!! I don't want anything to happen to him. I am soon to be receiving my mega ray bulb when they are back in stock from Darren's shop. Any help would be much appreciated! __________________ Lynsey XXX 1.0.0 Horsfield

22-09-2008, 12:43 PM	#2
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,144	All keepers panic when it comes to hibernation, including the likes of me, who have been hibernating tortoises for over thirty years. The difference being, I know they come out of it happy as larry If you follow the steps/instructions all will be well. I know there are lots of keepers on here that felt the same as you last year, and now can hibernate their torts with more ease. Have a look at the instructions on www.thetortoisehouse.com __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

22-09-2008, 04:54 PM	#3
TortMad Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Lancashire Posts: 2,639	Try not to worry I know easier said than done Ask as many questions as you need to Shelled Warriors is great as we are all here to help and reasure each other Have a look at the link Sandy has given, it is an excellent hibernation guide, I use Lisa's experience as my Hibernation Bible. __________________ Lea 2.1.0 testudo horsfeldii 0.2.0 testudo graeca ibera 2.0.0 geochelone pardalis babcocki http://www.thehenshouse.co.uk/

23-09-2008, 01:16 PM	#5
Lynseyattwood Member Hatchling Join Date: May 2008 Location: London Posts: 656	Thanks Sandy, I have printed the pages out.. Roughly when should hibernation start and end for my 2 year old horsfield? __________________ Lynsey XXX 1.0.0 Horsfield

23-09-2008, 03:23 PM	#6
Lynseyattwood Member Hatchling Join Date: May 2008 Location: London Posts: 656	I contacted the place where I bought my horsfield from, enquiring whether or not I should hibernate my tortoise. I got him in May this year and is two years old. "You would always miss the first winter you have the tortoise no matter what age you have bought" It was a little vague response, but now I don't know whether to hibernate him this winter. It is really worrying me and it would be a weight off of my mind if I didn't have to this year, but all I want is the best for his health.. __________________ Lynsey XXX 1.0.0 Horsfield

22-09-2008, 06:32 PM	#4
CJ Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Herts Posts: 1,280	It's my first year hibernating my torts too, and it's a scary business!! But have a look at the link to the tortoise house that Sandy gave, it's really good and looks very straightforward to follow. It put my mind at rest after reading it!

24-09-2008, 12:37 AM	#7
Lolly8 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Stoke on Trent Posts: 5,276	I think it's ok to miss the first winter.You will know your tortoise better and you are probably more confident about hibernation by the next winter.That's what I'll do.I got mine in July and I'm just not ready to hibernate him this winter.

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