Hibernation Doubts

[rteixeira]

I need help with opinions or suggestions:

For the first time that I have my turtles outside, created a space for them to think of all the seasons, with the characteristics:

- 220 x 170 area
- In the area outside has a depth of 50cm with soil and dart, with heating lamp ceramic
- In closed area with temperature is 26 º C and has a depth of 15cm + plantsoil coconut shell. As the upper part is made of glass, when the sun hitting the temperature may increase
- All space is protected from rain and directed south

Terrestrial tortoises have:
- 2 marginatas with 1.5 years
- 2 Russian with 1.5 years
- 1 Russian with 3 years

I'm having a problem with hibernation and was not provided with these conditions thought they would not want to hibernate, as had happened in indoor facilities.

- The 2 small Russian already hibernated for 3 weeks of low ground on the outside
- The remaining are in the area closed at 26 º C without eating and half buried to 3 weeks, when they shot out and quickly turn inward

My doubts that bother me and I do not know what to do:

- Leave them in the closed part to 26 º C or less, but considering that just beat the sun to the temperature increase. If they overwinter these high temperatures will affect them and put them at risk?

- I counter and put them in a terrarium inside?

Any suggestions?

Thank you!

 

[Yvonne G]

RE: Hibernation Dogths

Whether to keep them up for the winter is totally up to you and your routine. But if you decide to allow them to brumate, be sure they are kept dry. If a steppe tortoise gets wet during brumation he will get sick and might die.

 

[ascott]

RE: Hibernation Dogths

Welcome to the Forum and we LOVE PICS Where in the world are you at?

 

[rteixeira]

RE: Hibernation Dogths

Welcome to the Forum and we LOVE PICS Where in the world are you at?

Yes, i love to share pics about my trotoises and terrarium.

i'm from Portugal

 

[rteixeira]

RE: Hibernation Dogths

my problem is, the internal area have 26ºc and with this temperature, they should not want to feel this need not hibernate.
They may have the need only because of the time of year?

 

[Yvonne G]

RE: Hibernation Dogths

Well, yes, they DO see the days getting shorter and the nights becoming cooler, so this triggers the brumation button.

I'm curious if the word "Dogths" in the subject line is a misspelled word or just a word I'm not familiar with.

also, the tortoise in your picture looks more like a Hermann's than a Russian.

 

[rteixeira]

RE: Hibernation Dogths

Sorry, i want to say "doubts"

maybe the reason is the ligth? because the temperature is fine, i have the temperature in 26ºC\78ºF

 

[GBtortoises]

As well as what Yvonne said about light duration being a factor of brumation for northern species, keep in mind that Russian tortoises are a burrowing species that spend much of their time underground to escape seasonal extremes as well as lack of food and water. This is also true of other northern tortoise species, especially when they are young. It's not unusual for baby Hermann's, Ibera Greeks and Marginateds to bury themselves for days, even weeks, depending upon their local climate above ground. 26c is a good daytime ambient temperature, it's actually an excellent temperature for nromal activity. What is the temperature at night in their enclosure, what about under their basking light and how hot can it get in their enclosure during the day? I ask this because it appears to be outdoors in the sun and covered with plastic. If that is the normal set up it will act as a greenhouse and may actually be getting too hot during the daytime for them. This also would cause a tortoise to bury itself to escape the extreme heat. If that it is the case.

---

"the tortoise in your picture looks more like a Hermann's than a Russian."

The tortoise in the photo is a Marginated. I believe the Russians are buried somewhere in there according to the OP.

 

[rteixeira]

In the night, the temperature is 24ºC. But i agree the problem is the light, my space dont have artificial light and in this time of the year in portugal, the days are more shorter and grey, i think the problem is this.

Now i move the tortoises for internal terrarium in my house and i go to resolve the light problem.

In this picture was a marginata, but i have a 3 russians