twebb88
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- Oct 16, 2016
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i read somewhere they do not!Do spur thighs hibernate?
- Thread starter twebb88
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i read somewhere they do not!
Mediterranean spur thighs - Testudo Greeks - can hibernate. (Ours is heading for number 45)
African Spurred Tortoises - Sulcata - Cannot hibernate
African Spurred Tortoises - Sulcata - Cannot hibernate
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twebb88
New Member
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2016
- Messages
- 14
How do I know when he's trying to hibernate? When I let him run about the front room He keeps hiding in small places!?
Firstly, you really shouldn't let your tort run around the room.
Out of its enclosure, your tort is away from the heat, humidity and UVB that is necessary for your tort to be healthy indoors.
There is also a risk of it being stepped on. We had one on TFO only last week - you only have to be distracted for a moment.
And another risk is that your tort will eat something it shouldn't either deliberately or by accident. Dust balls and hair can cause digestive system blockages for example.
Your tort will be much happier and healthier in a proper sized enclosure with heat, light and humidity at the correct levels.
Back to hibernation
For a tortoise to hibernate, temperatures have to be consistently below 10C/50F. Hibernation is not mandatory. You can keep your tort awake with bright lights and the correct temperatures. Hibernation is not recommended for very small tortoises or in the first year of ownership.
At this time of year, it's not uncommon for tortoises to slow down a little. They become less active and eat less - this is triggered by shortening days outdoors, but even indoor ones sometimes pick up the signal - and is the sign that a tortoise is thinking about hibernation. Mine lives outdoors and is now winding down for hibernation by the end of the month.
Your tort is hiding away out of the enclosure because it's not warm enough and/or it's frightened.
Out of its enclosure, your tort is away from the heat, humidity and UVB that is necessary for your tort to be healthy indoors.
There is also a risk of it being stepped on. We had one on TFO only last week - you only have to be distracted for a moment.
And another risk is that your tort will eat something it shouldn't either deliberately or by accident. Dust balls and hair can cause digestive system blockages for example.
Your tort will be much happier and healthier in a proper sized enclosure with heat, light and humidity at the correct levels.
Back to hibernation
For a tortoise to hibernate, temperatures have to be consistently below 10C/50F. Hibernation is not mandatory. You can keep your tort awake with bright lights and the correct temperatures. Hibernation is not recommended for very small tortoises or in the first year of ownership.
At this time of year, it's not uncommon for tortoises to slow down a little. They become less active and eat less - this is triggered by shortening days outdoors, but even indoor ones sometimes pick up the signal - and is the sign that a tortoise is thinking about hibernation. Mine lives outdoors and is now winding down for hibernation by the end of the month.
Your tort is hiding away out of the enclosure because it's not warm enough and/or it's frightened.
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He's hiding in small places because he's afraid and looking for a safe place.
