Considering Hibernation

[alfiethetortoise]

Considering placing Alfie into hibernation in January. She is 88mm and 112g at present. At one point she was underweight, but i think is about ok now but can't seem find the ratio graph for juvenile torts...

Also, as she has been underweight is it best to just overwinter? She doesn't have any other problems, i check her on a monthly basis using the tortoise trust guide.

Has anyone else hibernated younger torts? Alfie was hatched in 2008.

Apologise in advance if this is one of those annoying posts which has already been answered hundreds of times, i had a scan, but couldn't see any answers....

Thanks

 

[Ozric]

Hi, can I suggest you have a look at these:

http://www.britishcheloniagroup.org.uk/caresheets/jackson.htm

http://tortoiseforum.org/thread-2836.html?highlight=jackson


If your measures are corect your tort is a little light still. I find it difficult to measure them accurately but with small ones especially it is inportant to be as exact as possible as even 2mm can have a major effect on the result.

I'm personally in favour of hibernation including for smaller tortoises but there are different opinions.

If you are quite new to tortoise keeping and do not know this tortoise all that well yet and have not hibernated that one before, a cautious approach would be to keep the tortoise awake this winter.

Hope this helps a bit! Jonathan

 

[elegans]

No need to hibernate Hermann's why risk it? What is the possible upside VS. the downside? PM me privately if you wish to talk about this because I simply do not have the time or interest to post it all here.