Breeding without hybernating?

[tortiechik]

Have read success stories both ways but any opinions on hybernating to trigger breeding vs not hybernating?

 

[ascott]

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-Is-Hibernation-Absolutely-Required#axzz1iBfPmQoK

You may take a few moments to peruse this thread while you are waiting for others to offer their opinions here....

You will find that you will want to really research your question in all areas available to you, there is a bit of controversy on this very subject...

 

[GBtortoises]

I brumate (hibernate) some of my adult Testudo, including Russians. I keep others active throughout the winter months. The only difference between those that brumate and those that stay active that I have experienced is that those that brumate have a more consistent breeding pattern. Those that I have that stay active do not nest at precise times of the year as the brumating tortoises do. But in both cases fertility rate is the same.

It's been my experience that Russian tortoises are triggered to breed more by abrupt and extreme changes in temperatures and light intensity than just by brumation.