weight loss in the first week

[shaz]

Can anyone tell me what is the average weight loss in the first week of tortoise hibernation please

[egyptiandan64]

Don't think there is an average, but a tortoise shouldn't lose more than 10% of their weight during brumination.

Danny

[Levi]

Very difficult to say on a weekly basis, but they may lose more weight at the start while settling down, especially if it is their first hibernation.

Over the whole hibernation it will depend on the method, temperature etc, with the old fashioned pop them in a box in the shed method they could possibly lose the 10% that Danny quoted over the whole of the winter. But I would only expect that amount of weight lose over a long hibernation with the temperature fluctuating and it being too warm for a lot of the time.

More modern hibernation methods should hopefully be more controlled and shorter so personally I would say 4-5% weight loss during the hibernation period should be easily achievable.

I use a very controlled method of hibernation now and my tort lost 48g in 5 months last winter, that's only about 1% of her weight. In the past using the box method she could lose 6-7% or more.


Technically It is called brumination as Danny quite often says, but I've been 'hibernating' my tort for the last 35 years now and I see no reason to change that to bruminating her and if I did it would probably just help to confuse people.

[Pussygalore]

if the wind down is done correctly most of the weight loss should be during that period not during hibernation, my weight loss/ record started from the moment the torts were boxed up and didn't include the wind down period or loss.

[CherryBrandy]

About 1% each month approximately according to British Chelonian Society and dependent on species. Should have nothing drastic in first week, though I have had that before and then they've settled. Also some of mine put on weight (moisture most probable as naturally hibernated) and they fluctuate up and down so careful eye and open mind. C

[Levi]

Originally Posted by Pussygalore

if the wind down is done correctly most of the weight loss should be during that period not during hibernation, my weight loss/ record started from the moment the torts were boxed up and didn't include the wind down period or loss.

I agree, my ibera will lose about 6-7% during the winddown period and very little during the actual hibernation.
Danny's 10% is weight loss during the hibernation period only, it doesn't include the wind down period. This has been the suggested maximum weight loss during hibernation for at least the last 40 years.

I think more modern tort keepers should aim for far less weight loss during hibernation as it isn't that difficult to achieve.

[shaz]

Its the first time I have done it, and some of the torts its there first time too. I worked out all of there weights less 10% so I will keep a close eye. Thanks all