Fridge Hibernation For A Spur-thighed Tortoise

[MaNaAk]

Good afternoon everyone!

The vet has recommended fridge hibernation for Jacky my 87 year old Spur-thighed Tortoise. I have never hibernated her in this way before and whilst I given information on how to do this. I would be most be grateful if someone could please post some pictures of tortoises hibernating in fridges and fridge recommendations.

Thankyou very much

MaNaAk

 

[Tom]

Good afternoon everyone!

The vet has recommended fridge hibernation for Jacky my 87 year old Spur-thighed Tortoise. I have never hibernated her in this way before and whilst I given information on how to do this. I would be most be grateful if someone could please post some pictures of tortoises hibernating in fridges and fridge recommendations.

Thankyou very much

MaNaAk

Read through this:

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

 

[MaNaAk]

Read through this:

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

Thankyou Tom.

I'm going to keep coming back to read this.

MaNaAk

 

[Tom]

Thankyou Tom.

I'm going to keep coming back to read this.

MaNaAk

Excellent. Questions and further discussion are welcome.

 

[MaNaAk]

Excellent. Questions and further discussion are welcome.

Thankyou Tom.

Natrah and Jacky the tortoise

 

[MaNaAk]

Read through this:

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

Dear @Tom,

I've just read your thread again and I was wondering if you could please recommend a small fridge at all because I live in a flat with an undercounted fridge and also would I need a probe for the temperature.

Thankyou very much

Natrah

 

[Yvonne G]

Look up 'wine cooler.'

 

[MaNaAk]

Look up 'wine cooler.'

Thankyou Yvonne I will do. I did Google Fridges For Tortoises and a good one came up with a window but I want to do more searching.

Natrah

 

[Tom]

Thankyou Yvonne I will do. I did Google Fridges For Tortoises and a good one came up with a window but I want to do more searching.

Natrah

I have purchased a couple of wine fridges for diapausing tortoise eggs, and have found them to be unreliable. They also don't get cold enough for brumation. The coldest one stayed right around 50-55F (10-13C) at its coldest setting, which is just a little too warm.

I also don't like a clear door. I think the light and the movement disturbs them. Their wild hibernacula would be dark the whole time.

Any fridge should work, but you will need to check the temperatures thoroughly for consistency before putting a tortoise into it. Use digital thermometers that record the highs and lows so that you can see what it is doing at its extremes. Also remember to stuff the fridge with as much food and drink as you can, as this will help the fridge maintain a consistent temperature. I stuff mine with water bottles and beer.

 

[MaNaAk]

I have purchased a couple of wine fridges for diapausing tortoise eggs, and have found them to be unreliable. They also don't get cold enough for brumation. The coldest one stayed right around 50-55F (10-13C) at its coldest setting, which is just a little too warm.

I also don't like a clear door. I think the light and the movement disturbs them. Their wild hibernacula would be dark the whole time.

Any fridge should work, but you will need to check the temperatures thoroughly for consistency before putting a tortoise into it. Use digital thermometers that record the highs and lows so that you can see what it is doing at its extremes. Also remember to stuff the fridge with as much food and drink as you can, as this will help the fridge maintain a consistent temperature. I stuff mine with water bottles and beer.

Dear @Tom,

I see what you mean about a clear door so that case maybe I should trade my undercounter freezer for a fridgefreezer or just another small fridge on top of my current one.

MaNaAk