Brumation Mentor wanted please (UK)

[molliemoo]

Hi opening new thread as looking for a mentor - I say UK based as timing etc based on our crazy weather is what's stressing me out a bit.. First time for me, had Trigger since last year didn't hibernate him last year as was advised too soon as new owner and not knowing anything about him (rescue found roaming the streets!)..

Any help greatly appreciated...

 

[Tom]

I'm yo huckleberry. Brumation is the same anywhere in the world. You have to have the means to give your tortoise the conditions it needs, on YOUR timeframe, regardless of what the weather is doing.

Start here. Questions are welcome:

Tom's Brumation Thread

Every fall we get bombarded here on the forum with all sorts of questions and problems regarding hibernation and tortoises "slowing down" for winter. The purpose of this thread is to talk about all aspects of this subject, to dispel some of the myths and mysteries, and give a "how to" list of...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

What method are you planning to use? I and many others recommend the fridge method, since it gives you the most control

Do you have a proper indoor set up for your tortoise? If not, I recommend you set up one, even just as a back up plan. If your tortoise gets sick or just won't brumate it is good to have an indoor enclosure ready to keep your tortoise up.

How long are you planning on brumating?

@Lyn W is UK based and might be able to help you with the UK timing.

 

[molliemoo]

Hi Lyn, yes I have an indoor enclosure he uses when weather not too good. I definitely will use fridge method.. I'm a bit of a control freak so need as much control as possible to make it successful.. I was thinking 8 weeks as first time for me and not sure for him.. whats your thoughts ?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Seems like Lyn hasn't responded yet. But this is a blog by one of the forum members sharing her experience with brumation ( @biochemnerd808 ). You might find it useful when doing research: https://tortaddiction.blogspot.com/2013/11/prepping-russian-tortoises-for.html

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

What about @zolasmum and @MaNaAk do you have any UK centered tips for brumation? Do you have a schedule you have found good?

 

[molliemoo]

I have decided to pick a schedule that suits us to get most out of the good UK climate. Thanks

 

[MaNaAk]

Hi opening new thread as looking for a mentor - I say UK based as timing etc based on our crazy weather is what's stressing me out a bit.. First time for me, had Trigger since last year didn't hibernate him last year as was advised too soon as new owner and not knowing anything about him (rescue found roaming the streets!)..

Any help greatly appreciated...

Dear @molliemoo,

How old is Trigger? Please could we see pictures of him. Also how big is he? Just noticed that you said he was roaming for a pre-hibernation checkup in October to see if she is fit for hibernation. I think really they are making sure that she is the correct weight. Jacky normally thinks about hibernating in September when she gradually slows down and eats so I shall probably make an appointment with the vet then. Once I hear from you I can guide you through natural hibernation or fridge hibernation which Jacky did for the first time last winter.

Natrah

 

[MaNaAk]

Dear @molliemoo,

How old is Trigger? Please could we see pictures of him. Also how big is he? Just noticed that you said he was roaming for a pre-hibernation checkup in October to see if she is fit for hibernation. I think really they are making sure that she is the correct weight. Jacky normally thinks about hibernating in September when she gradually slows down and eats so I shall probably make an appointment with the vet then. Once I hear from you I can guide you through natural hibernation or fridge hibernation which Jacky did for the first time last winter.

Natrah

Dear Sue (@MoggyMad)

You might be interested in this thread

Natrah

 

[molliemoo]

Dear @molliemoo,

How old is Trigger? Please could we see pictures of him. Also how big is he? Just noticed that you said he was roaming for a pre-hibernation checkup in October to see if she is fit for hibernation. I think really they are making sure that she is the correct weight. Jacky normally thinks about hibernating in September when she gradually slows down and eats so I shall probably make an appointment with the vet then. Once I hear from you I can guide you through natural hibernation or fridge hibernation which Jacky did for the first time last winter.

Natrah

Hi, Trigger is a rescue i was told by the vet he is about 5... but everyone on this forum seems to think its impossible to age him!?... Reason I am thinking November time is want to make the most of our seasons that have really moved ie always still nice now in sept/oct ! just remeasured him on new scales and his is 700g, 7inches top shell and 5 inches belly. Will defo do fridge so yes all the help needed

 

[MaNaAk]

Hi, Trigger is a rescue i was told by the vet he is about 5... but everyone on this forum seems to think its impossible to age him!?... Reason I am thinking November time is want to make the most of our seasons that have really moved ie always still nice now in sept/oct ! just remeasured him on new scales and his is 700g, 7inches top shell and 5 inches belly. Will defo do fridge so yes all the help needed

November is a good time for full hibernation. Try following my Jacky and Daisy thread to see what we're doing.

Natrah

PS: Trigger you're gorgeous

 

[molliemoo]

November is a good time for full hibernation. Try following my Jacky and Daisy thread to see what we're doing.

Natrah

PS: Trigger you're gorgeous

Great will follow x

 

[MaNaAk]

Great will follow x

Dear @molliemoo,

Jacky usually starts to slow down in September but I keep feeding because our weather can heat up again. When she has stopped eating for a week I stop giving her the food that I buy from the supermarket because she may graze at that time. I keep going with the soaks but I cool these down once I know she is definitely thinking about hibernating and then I stop altogether. She will sleep in longer and go to bed earlier. Last year I got the room temperature down to 12 degrees and then I fridge hibernation for the first time. I gradually got the temperature down between 5 - 7 degrees. Let me know if you choose this method but the other way is to hibernate Trigger outside but make sure his secure from foxes Jacky and Daisy hibernated outside for years and when it got very cold they would dig themselves in future and I would give them extra straw.

MaNaAk

 

[molliemoo]

thank you... defo fridge approach. How long does Jacky and Daisy hibernate for ?

 

[MaNaAk]

thank you... defo fridge approach. How long does Jacky and Daisy hibernate for ?

Dear @molliemoo,

I'm afraid Daisy was put to sleep in November 2022 at the age of 80 but I still have Jacky who is 88. Jacky started to hibernate in November last year and she came out in March I tried a time to take her out of the fridge when it was starting to warm up. For younger tortoises I believe they recommend slightly shorter hibernation periods about six weeks.

Natrah

 

[MaNaAk]

Dear @molliemoo,

It seems that right to ten weeks is the best but Jacky is almost double the size of Trigger so she can hibernate for longer.

Natrah

 

[molliemoo]

Dear @molliemoo,

I'm afraid Daisy was put to sleep in November 2022 at the age of 80 but I still have Jacky who is 88. Jacky started to hibernate in November last year and she came out in March I tried a time to take her out of the fridge when it was starting to warm up. For younger tortoises I believe they recommend slightly shorter hibernation periods about six weeks.

Natrah

Oh I am sorry to hear about daisy..

 

[MaNaAk]

Oh I am sorry to hear about daisy..

Good morning @molliemoo,

That's okay Daisy is in my heart and she looks over Jacky. What part of the UK are you in? The Essex Tortoise Group say six weeks maximum for small tortoises so if you fridge hibernation when the six weeks is up try and find a day when the temperature matches that of the fridge and start to bring the temperature from that point. Trigger will need to be brought out gradually and left at room temperature for at least twenty four hours. I left Jacky at room temperature for one week before putting her in the enclosure just incase she went back into hibernation which is what both she and Daisy used to do.

Natrah

 

[molliemoo]

Thanks I'm in Coventry

 

[MaNaAk]

@Lyn W is also in the UK.

Natrah