Rising Temperatures - Is Hibernation Over?

mcgregor · 13-01-2011, 09:43 AM

Hi Folks,

It's 12 Deg C today and I hear rustling and scratching from the boxes in which our two Hermanns have been hibernating in the garage for 8 weeks. Any advice on whether I should get them up properly and onto their UV-lit tortoise table or just ignore them and hope they go back to hibernation? temperatures are expected to cool again in 2-3 days time. We live in Northampton, UK and mid-Jan seems very early to end hibernation.

Thanks

helen1 · 13-01-2011, 10:14 AM

Personally I might get them up. If they are active there is the possibility they may urinate and then, for sure, they would have to get up.

**Alan1** · 13-01-2011, 10:25 AM

that's 8 weeks longer than mine

. You could get them up and hide the calendar so they don't know it's mid January

But seriously, I don't know anything about hibernation but if they were mine, like Helen I would get them up otherwise you don't know what they are doing in there. Most people keep the temperatures stable at 5c so that that doesn't happen. In the wild they do emerge from hibernation then go back down if it turns cold in the following days but whether that has an effect on their survival I don't know.

Someone who hibernates their torts will advise soon hopefully

Kirkie · 13-01-2011, 12:00 PM

Head says "Get them warmed up, give them a drink of water and they'll go back down when the temp's drop next week".

Heart says "keep them up".

As has been stated tortoises have been noted to break hibernation in mild conditions but they need to get up to full operating temperatures in order for full bodily functions to kick back in so leaving them in the box at 12C isn't doing them any good.

They've rarely been seen feeding during these breaks, it seems to be an opportunity for them to get the body operational, perhaps flushing the system of waste built up during the hibernation period.

Kirkie · 13-01-2011, 12:31 PM

Sorry, mine was a speculative post rather than an advisory one.

Get them up.

mcgregor · 13-01-2011, 08:57 PM

Thanks folks - the noises were from one of the torts and he is now fully awake in his tort table and already doing naughty things! He had a bath and drank loads and was then stomping around like it was mid-august!! The other one is still boxed in the garage but it was 13 Deg C in there this evening and I could hear movement - no doubt he'll be in the tort table tomorrow as well - Jan 13th - can't believe it! Long wait until garden-time though.

shellonia · 14-01-2011, 06:50 PM

Must say I've heard a few creakings from my boxes but this early I'm hoping they'll settle again.I tend not to investigate until the temperatures go back down for a few days then you can see if they've urinated or anything.Personally I wouldn't worry too much but obviously you did the right thing if yours were wide awake

13-01-2011, 09:43 AM	#1
mcgregor Member Incubating Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: East Midlands Posts: 118	Rising Temperatures - Is Hibernation Over? Hi Folks, It's 12 Deg C today and I hear rustling and scratching from the boxes in which our two Hermanns have been hibernating in the garage for 8 weeks. Any advice on whether I should get them up properly and onto their UV-lit tortoise table or just ignore them and hope they go back to hibernation? temperatures are expected to cool again in 2-3 days time. We live in Northampton, UK and mid-Jan seems very early to end hibernation. Thanks __________________ 1.0.0 Greek Spur-Thigh, McGregor, circa 80 years old 2.0.0 Hermanns, McKenzie and McDougal, 11 yr old brothers

13-01-2011, 10:14 AM	#2
helen1 Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NORTH WEST Posts: 1,977	Personally I might get them up. If they are active there is the possibility they may urinate and then, for sure, they would have to get up. __________________ I CARE FOR TORTS

13-01-2011, 10:25 AM	#3
Alan1 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sunny Scotland Posts: 21,512	that's 8 weeks longer than mine . You could get them up and hide the calendar so they don't know it's mid January But seriously, I don't know anything about hibernation but if they were mine, like Helen I would get them up otherwise you don't know what they are doing in there. Most people keep the temperatures stable at 5c so that that doesn't happen. In the wild they do emerge from hibernation then go back down if it turns cold in the following days but whether that has an effect on their survival I don't know. Someone who hibernates their torts will advise soon hopefully Last edited by Alan1; 13-01-2011 at 12:51 PM. Reason: spelign :O)

13-01-2011, 12:00 PM	#4
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	Head says "Get them warmed up, give them a drink of water and they'll go back down when the temp's drop next week". Heart says "keep them up". As has been stated tortoises have been noted to break hibernation in mild conditions but they need to get up to full operating temperatures in order for full bodily functions to kick back in so leaving them in the box at 12C isn't doing them any good. They've rarely been seen feeding during these breaks, it seems to be an opportunity for them to get the body operational, perhaps flushing the system of waste built up during the hibernation period. Last edited by Kirkie; 13-01-2011 at 12:04 PM.

13-01-2011, 08:57 PM	#6
mcgregor Member Incubating Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: East Midlands Posts: 118	Thanks folks - the noises were from one of the torts and he is now fully awake in his tort table and already doing naughty things! He had a bath and drank loads and was then stomping around like it was mid-august!! The other one is still boxed in the garage but it was 13 Deg C in there this evening and I could hear movement - no doubt he'll be in the tort table tomorrow as well - Jan 13th - can't believe it! Long wait until garden-time though. __________________ 1.0.0 Greek Spur-Thigh, McGregor, circa 80 years old 2.0.0 Hermanns, McKenzie and McDougal, 11 yr old brothers

13-01-2011, 12:31 PM	#5
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	Sorry, mine was a speculative post rather than an advisory one. Get them up.

14-01-2011, 06:50 PM	#7
shellonia Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: central s england Posts: 1,534	Must say I've heard a few creakings from my boxes but this early I'm hoping they'll settle again.I tend not to investigate until the temperatures go back down for a few days then you can see if they've urinated or anything.Personally I wouldn't worry too much but obviously you did the right thing if yours were wide awake

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