Tortoise - how do you?

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As being new to looking after tortoise we have read up the basics and thus far our tortoise seems to be happy and healthy after our first three months of care. But as the winter season is approaching we are still a little apprehensive on the hibernation rules, can anyone offer some advise please?

[bexVN]

I would check a website such as the chelonian society for help as there are many variations such as

Age of tortoise - youngsters shouldn't hibernate (up to the age of three I think?)
Breed - not all types hibernate
Length and weight - there is a chart called the Jackson chart (I think not used it for ages) that checks whether they are heavy enough for their length to hibernate.

These are just a few things to consider, I'm not an expert in this anymore (used to deal a lot more with exotics many yrs ago!) I hope this is a stating point for you, I'm sure others will be on soon with far more experience that'll be able to give you good advice.

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Thanks bexvn, had a look around some sites but none really helped with this hibernation thing! I will go onto sites you have suggested. Our Tortoise, well my wifes really, is a baby about the size of a mans palm of hand. He puts on about two grams a week in weight at the moment, so a and is a Hermann Tortoise, which I understand to be a hardy (sort of) garden variety. Spends nightime in his box indoors then out into his garden pen daytime.

[bexVN]

http://www.sussexcheloniansociety.co.uk/hibernatio...

try this site. A Hermans Tortoise is a mediterranean breed so this should suit what you are looking for. You could probably ring them aswell.

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Perfect, all our questions answered. Thanks for link.

[TigerS6]

Some owners do not hibernate their tortoises at all, and not upto on average 3-4 years old.
Our (new) pair (hatchlings) will be braving the winter outside... in their heated and insulated house.

I did a lot of research on all this before we bought ours, including the potential dangers of hibernating, especially young ones.

[bubblebobble]

TigerS6 said:

Some owners do not hibernate their tortoises at all, and not upto on average 3-4 years old.

This ^^

also try
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/

I find this the best site available as the owners are researchers and have been for many years, good forum too with very knowledgeable people.

[Mubby]

mine is 7 and never been hibernated!

Edited by Mubby on Thursday 15th September 15:52

[iamed]

Hibernation guidelines from an exotics vet

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Some great links/advise, thanks for time and trouble to post.