First timer confused about hibernation

[RainsOn]

I'm back with a question about Digger: Got him late spring from PetSmart. Vet tells me he is about 10 years old. I am guessing this means he has hibernated in the past. Built an outdoor habitat mid summer and he spent 24/7 out there until temps dropped to mid 60's here in OK. I have brought him into indoor digs. Even before that he started digging in more as temps got cooler and was less active.
NOW: he is asleep inside. I have been waking him every 2 days for soak, poop and food. He eats good and goes right back to sleep. If temps get into 80's, I take him out in the yard for awhile. Indoor daytime temps are high 80's, I keep humidity up. He gets 14 hours of light. Ordered UVA/UVB bulb that has not arrived yet. Presently working with heat bulb and light bulb. He seems his old self when he is awake.
QUESTIONs: 1. Is this acceptable? 2. Should I wake him more often? 3. Should I not wake him at all? and let him wake on his own? 4. Would it help to spend more social time with him?
I'm new at this and want reassurance all is well.
Thanks all!

 

[Yvonne G]

Unless they clean out their digestive tracts and don't put any more food into it for at least 2 weeks prior to hibernating, and unless you can keep the temperature where his enclosure is below 50F and above 40F, then you shouldn't let him sleep. I would keep getting him up and placing him in front of the food or water.

 

[RainsOn]

Okay, I understand what you are saying.
He is warm and I have to wake him every two days to eat.
Are you saying I need to wake him more often - ? ? ?

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[Yvonne G]

Yes. I would disturb him several times a day until he gets his normal rhythm back.

 

[RainsOn]

Great! Thanks so much.
Come here, Digger.

 

[Tom]

I agree with Yvonne.

During this time of year, their minds and bodies tell them its time to sleep. We, the keeper, have to decide if we are going to let/help them sleep and go into hibernation, or keep them up. If not hibernating, then it sometimes takes a few weeks of waking them, soaking them and keeping them warm and lit, for their bodies to "snap out of it" so to speak.

Personally, I prefer to let them hibernate, but that takes some prep, effort and fore thought to do it correctly.

 

[RainsOn]

I am a first time tort owner and very leery of hibernating until I know more. I have been waking him morning and evening to eat and still soaking every other day. He is spending more time awake and I feel more confident. Thanks to both of you.

P.S. Tom, I used Carolina Pet Supply for a bulb and some seed. Bulb never came; seed sprouted worms in my house. Cannot get a reply out of the company which has my money. I know you use them for supplies and wanted to give you a FYI. I am NOT a happy first time customer.

 

[Yvonne G]

They are very reputable. Please keep trying to contact them. The owner and his wife are Joe Heinen and I believe Karen. Joe's russian tortoise care sheet is one I refer to all the time. I've never had any trouble with ordering and receiving my goods from them, and they've sent me emails every step of the way.