Waking up then going back into hibernation

CleoCandace

CleoCandace

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Hi! I recently inherited a desert tortoise and have no idea what his usual habits are. He began his hibernation mid-December and woke up yesterday (3/19) and immediately ate and drank a ton. He went back in his burrow in the afternoon and hasn't come out again. We're in Arizona and it's very hot (105 degrees), so I'm not sure if that has something to do with it.

My question is - Is it ok for him to go back into hibernation at this point, or should I be trying to keep him active?

Thank you!
 
zovick

zovick

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CleoCandace said:
Hi! I recently inherited a desert tortoise and have no idea what his usual habits are. He began his hibernation mid-December and woke up yesterday (3/19) and immediately ate and drank a ton. He went back in his burrow in the afternoon and hasn't come out again. We're in Arizona and it's very hot (105 degrees), so I'm not sure if that has something to do with it.

My question is - Is it ok for him to go back into hibernation at this point, or should I be trying to keep him active?

Thank you!
Click to expand...
The tortoise may just be trying to get out of the heat rather than starting to brumate again. I would be tempted to leave the tortoise to its own devices for a few days and see what happens.
 
Tom

Tom

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CleoCandace said:
Hi! I recently inherited a desert tortoise and have no idea what his usual habits are. He began his hibernation mid-December and woke up yesterday (3/19) and immediately ate and drank a ton. He went back in his burrow in the afternoon and hasn't come out again. We're in Arizona and it's very hot (105 degrees), so I'm not sure if that has something to do with it.

My question is - Is it ok for him to go back into hibernation at this point, or should I be trying to keep him active?

Thank you!
Click to expand...
Hello and welcome:

I agree with Zovick. He's not going back into brumation. He's avoiding the heat at the surface so he does't cook.

Check these two threads out for all the current care info:

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...
tortoiseforum.org tortoiseforum.org

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...
tortoiseforum.org tortoiseforum.org
 
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