Spur Thigh in Hibernation

MAGGIE · 24-03-2010, 09:22 PM

I have been checking my spur thigh on a regular basis throughout the winter - earlier this week when I took it out of the box to inspect it poked its head out of the shell, but eyes still shut, whereas on previous inspections the head has remained firmly in the shell. I have replaced it back in the box and cannot detect any movement since - should I start to wake it up of just leave things be for the time being. It is 7 years old and I hibernated the first week of November

Box girl · 24-03-2010, 09:23 PM

I would wake him up it is about time now.

**Bindi** · 24-03-2010, 09:24 PM

I agree with Boxgirl, she's had long enough now, time to gently wake her

MAGGIE · 24-03-2010, 09:34 PM

Thanks for advice - what is the best way to do this, causing the least stress - and will she need UV/heat until the weather warms up a bit more

**Bindi** · 24-03-2010, 09:52 PM

Here is a great guide to waking up, just scroll down to the part that says 'waking up'

http://www.thetortoisehouse.com/Hibernation04.htm

She will need some form of basking heat yes, to help get her going again.

At the moment my torts are indoors,. The adults and jeuveniles go out for a bit if the weather's ok when they've warmed up. The adults have a greenhouse and the jeuveniles have a coldframe to help them make the most of the weather

MAGGIE · 24-03-2010, 09:59 PM

Thanks Bindi - a very useful link.

24-03-2010, 09:22 PM	#1
MAGGIE Junior Member Egg Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 43	Spur Thigh in Hibernation I have been checking my spur thigh on a regular basis throughout the winter - earlier this week when I took it out of the box to inspect it poked its head out of the shell, but eyes still shut, whereas on previous inspections the head has remained firmly in the shell. I have replaced it back in the box and cannot detect any movement since - should I start to wake it up of just leave things be for the time being. It is 7 years old and I hibernated the first week of November __________________ Hobbiest breeder and exhibitor of rare breed poultry and ducks (chicks, birds, hatching eggs sometimes for sale). New keeper of Mediterranean Spur Thighed Tortoises. Website www.brbpoultry.co.uk

24-03-2010, 09:23 PM	#2
Box girl Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Glos Posts: 1,326	I would wake him up it is about time now. __________________ www.ukchelonia.info Money raised to Allwetter Zoo Muenster e6000 sent so far. Have bred-red foots, yellow foots, eastern box, 3 toed box, ornate box, gulf coast box, common musk, elongated tortoise, red eared terrapin, cuora flavomarginata, cuora amboinensis, hermanns tortoise, horsfield tortoise, rhinoclemys.p. manni, european pond turtle, reeves and spurs

24-03-2010, 09:24 PM	#3
Bindi Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,157	I agree with Boxgirl, she's had long enough now, time to gently wake her __________________

24-03-2010, 09:34 PM	#4
MAGGIE Junior Member Egg Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 43	Spur Thigh in Hibernation Thanks for advice - what is the best way to do this, causing the least stress - and will she need UV/heat until the weather warms up a bit more __________________ Hobbiest breeder and exhibitor of rare breed poultry and ducks (chicks, birds, hatching eggs sometimes for sale). New keeper of Mediterranean Spur Thighed Tortoises. Website www.brbpoultry.co.uk

24-03-2010, 09:52 PM	#5
Bindi Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,157	Here is a great guide to waking up, just scroll down to the part that says 'waking up' http://www.thetortoisehouse.com/Hibernation04.htm She will need some form of basking heat yes, to help get her going again. At the moment my torts are indoors,. The adults and jeuveniles go out for a bit if the weather's ok when they've warmed up. The adults have a greenhouse and the jeuveniles have a coldframe to help them make the most of the weather __________________

24-03-2010, 09:59 PM	#6
MAGGIE Junior Member Egg Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 43	Thanks Bindi - a very useful link. __________________ Hobbiest breeder and exhibitor of rare breed poultry and ducks (chicks, birds, hatching eggs sometimes for sale). New keeper of Mediterranean Spur Thighed Tortoises. Website www.brbpoultry.co.uk

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)