Hibernating Russian tortoise!

[Kingsleythetortoise]

Hi! i just bought my first russian tortoise less than a week ago and i think he is trying to hibernate! he is burrowing under his substrate stuff and he hasnt eaten or pooped since i got him! i was wondering if there is any way to stop him from hibernating because i have heard that russian tortoises dont need to hibernate in captivity! i REALLY do not want him to hibernate!!!!!!!

 

[pineapple]

Are you keeping your temps up?

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Kingsleythetortoise, and welcome to the Forum.

Have you read this:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-59575.html#axzz2DiRvFULK

 

[Laura]

part of his hiding could be because he is new.... but you need to keep him warm and 14 hours of light a day...

 

[lynnedit]

yes, make sure your temps are OK: 95F on the basking side. 70F on the cool side. Around 80f in between. Do you have a good way to measure temps like an infared thermometer?

Are you soaking him daily? get him/her up and do this. 'Baby warm' water, about 15 minutes.

He is either too hot, too cold, still adjusting, etc. But you need to help him out.

 

[Nami The tortoise]

When it gets cold it is a torts reaction to try to go into hibernation, try making sure it has a good food amount that is avalible to him and make sure your temps aren't to low! ( or too high ).