Hibernation Temp??

[TortoiseRN]

My wife wanted me to hibernate the herd in their own fridge this year so I bought a dorm fridge big enough to fit all the tort. I have it set as warm as it will allow it fluctuates between 47-49 degrees. Is this too cold??

 

[peasinapod]

My wife wanted me to hibernate the herd in their own fridge this year so I bought a dorm fridge big enough to fit all the tort. I have it set as warm as it will allow it fluctuates between 47-49 degrees. Is this too cold??

I'd say not cold enough. It should be more at about 40-41 I believe

 

[TortoiseRN]

Oops sorry typo I meant 37-30.

 

[peasinapod]

Oops sorry typo I meant 37-30.

Too low! 30°F would be -1°C which is below freezing. This can be deadly. Try to find a way to keep the temperatures higher. I use a programmable thermostat (I believe that's what it is called). It cuts the electric current to the fridge if the temperatures drop below a certain amount.

Or did you mean 39°? That would be the lowest I would go. My theramostat cuts at aboit 39.5.

 

[Tom]

I've heard different things for russians and I've seen people do it at all sort of temps. I think somewhere around 40-45 is ideal. Some people have noted that they remain active as low as 48, but I would not want to get them too close to freezing.

 

[lynnedit]

Mine have 'stayed down' in a fridge for hibernation at temps of 40-45, as Tom mentions.
I would work on trying to raise the temps a bit.