Hibernate or not to hibernate??

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ben2684

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When purchasing a few bits for my tort I struck up a conversation with the shop owner (a reptile and amphibian specialist) and during our chat he told me that there is no need to hibernate my tortoise, is this true?? I thought that hibernation was an integral part of a tortoises life style?? I am now confused!!!
 

TortoiseBoy1999

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I recently have been struggling with this, and asking around about it. But I believe if you do not hibernate your Russian he/she will be fine. But if you do choose to do hibernate him/her, he/she will also be fine :) Hope this helped!
 

Snowqueen75

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Because I am a first time owner of two wonderful horsefields.I was told not to hibernate as I am not experienced enough as if you hibernate them and you have not wound there food intake they may not come out of hibernation. But in the winter to get a new bulb so they are cool down and say sleep for a couple of days. So thats what I am doing to be on safe side. I am from the UK. My two are only 3 tomorrow, so I'd rather not ;)
 

ben2684

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Mine is only four, was advised not to this year and then next year when he's five to let him hibernate, I'm confused as the guy I was talking to was adamant that it was unwise to! And he breeds ad sells both Horsfields and other breeds, so should know what he is talking about :-/ it's very confusing when you are not heavily experienced!! Thanks for your input :)
 

Laura

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well. they would in the wild regardless of age..
no you dont need to.. but you will need to provide warmth and light 12+ hours a day so they dont get sleepy and start to shut down.
IF you Do decide to.. you will stop feeding them several weeks before they go to sleep. you want thier gut empty.
 

Eweezyfosheezy

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You dont need to hibernate your russian. I wouldnt do it this year if I were you. If you are interested in doing it in the future then I would do a lot of research and then you can see if you are comfortable with it or not. What state are you located in?
 

ascott

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http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-Is-Hibernation-Absolutely-Required#axzz25Fdovgdj

This may be in informative thread to read through...this is always a topic that is felt and shared about with great passion and the single word Hibernate can generate a vast margin of opinions and experience based information.....

If you are going to brumate your tort then you owe it to your tort to become as educated as possible on the entire subject....

If you are going to overwinter your tort then you owe it to your tort to become as educated as possible on the entire subject...

In general, there is one thing that is likely agreed upon, you should not brumate a tort that you have had for less than an entire full 4 season time span (or for at least a year)....you need to become use to your tort and learn that tortoise "normal" so you will be keen on when something is going out of the norm....:D
 

ben2684

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Thank you, I know I need to know my stuff! And that article was very helpful :)
 
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