Is this normal?

[pinkypoo85]

Hello

Winston my little horsfiled is around 1-2 years and I have had him since Feb this year so I am yet to hibernate him. I was told that in the first year of owning him he would not hibernate, I don't know why this is but that's what I was told. Is this correct?

His starting to get a little more sleepy and eating a little less so I wondered if he naturally knows to wind down this time of year in preparation for hibernation?

To be honest hibernation scares me and I want to make sure I am doing it all correctly and if she should do so this year!!

Thank you!

[Tatty91]

I'm the same, I don't feel like I want to hibernate this year (got my tort Mabel in April). She's not slowing down though so I should be OK.

[Merlin M]

she is probably noticing the season start to change, I would increase the night temp by a degree or 2 (not much just a little) and a couple of extra baths. They can be stubborn though but I wouldn't worry if she slows down over the winter so long as she is eating a bit and not losing weight.

[CherryBrandy]

just check his weight against size etc as a guide. If underweight then should consider keeping him up and overwinter. Is he outside ? indoors? once you decide you need to do some research about hibernation and that should give you more confidence around it and making your choices. Rule of thumb with hibernation is, temps get cooler, they should stop feeding, purge for a month and then settle them down. shorter if first time and if concerned. So as a v v short guide, tort eats all of August, warmish days in Sept some food but not every day, needs warmth to purge otherwise food will stay in stomach... (warm baths may help too), no food October, Hibernate first week November - BUT there is no hard and set rule. You may want to keep him eating and warm, basking etc till December , gradually cut down heat and food during December, they will get sleepy and inactive, make sure purge for at least 2 weeks (dependent on how much he has eaten) and hibernate for 6 weeks...... weigh before and during is my view to give you confidence he is maintaining bodyweight, or acceptable weight drop - or even increase.

But you are not alone, Ive kept tortoises over 3 decades and still a nervous time. CB

[yuna1971]

All sounds normal but I will say don't try hibernation if you are not absolutely confident about doing it. If you are unsure, leave it this time. Give yourself plenty of time to read up on the process and feel confident. Overwintering is a better option IF you are worried and unsure this time round. Plenty of owners do this as well as the owners who hibernate their torts. The choice is yours. Best wishes xx