Buying a tortoise that has never been hibernated.

[Devon2016]

Hello all,

I'm relatively new to this and have never posted before! I'm about to buy a horse field tortoise off of a women who has never hibernated it before. The tortoise is about 3 years old so I'm assuming it should have started this process by now! I've been reading the manuals and books but I can't find an answer to my concerns. Will it be ok to start hibernating it this year? Has the lack of hibernation done it any damage? Help!

 

[Jodie]

You absolutely do not have to hibernate then. No damage. A tortoise new to you should not be hibernated until you know the weight trends, and are sure it is healthy. I wouldn't hibernate it this year.