Hibernation wake up

[HenryBear]

Following my last post where I was concerned about early hibernation/lethargy:

Henry is awake and running around after a nice full hibernation. We live in an old Victorian house so I tend to make sure she's extra well fed during winter as we like to let her hibernate as she pleases due to the lack of temperature control.

She's having a bath and a nice meal now she's awake, she also needs a new bulb. Is there anything else I should consider doing now she's up other than the obvious cleaning her out etc?

Additionally, at this time of year in the UK, what would be a good time to turn her lamp on/off? It is on an automatic timer and we need to set it now she's out of hibernation.

 

[Tom]

Following my last post where I was concerned about early hibernation/lethargy:

Henry is awake and running around after a nice full hibernation. We live in an old Victorian house so I tend to make sure she's extra well fed during winter as we like to let her hibernate as she pleases due to the lack of temperature control.

She's having a bath and a nice meal now she's awake, she also needs a new bulb. Is there anything else I should consider doing now she's up other than the obvious cleaning her out etc?

Additionally, at this time of year in the UK, what would be a good time to turn her lamp on/off? It is on an automatic timer and we need to set it now she's out of hibernation.

If you want the tortoise to remain awake and active, keep it all warm and well lit. Lights should be on for at least 12 hours, and 13-14 hours is best for this case.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hello and welcome to the forum from a fellow uk member!

As mentioned above you need to keep tortoise well lit and warm, ambient temperatures can be warmer during this colder weather to keep them later, as well as adjusted lighting timings. You’re likely going to struggle with temperatures in the uk if your set up is open topped.

I’m going to include some links below you’ll hopefully find useful to look through.

This thread covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc, definitely double check bulb types, folks unfortunately sold the wrong ones often), correct levels, appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and the tortoise table link

Housing adult Russian and Hermans indoors

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information an example of an appropriate indoor set up for an older Herman/russian. As much as it’s encouraged to have tortoises in a safe outdoor enclosure, I understand being from the uk myself, that some climates make it difficult to...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes lots of inspiration for an adult set up both indoors and out! The indoor bit has some good ideas to tackle indoor space whilst still providing the needed roaming room! Check comments too, I’m always adding to it, I have a huge back log I need to add

Enclosure inspiration

Howdy folks! Hope everyone is well! As you all know, I’m a big fan of making threads that cater more towards visual learners like myself, I’ve really been wanting to create a thread full of adult enclosure inspiration for a while now, I’ve managed to find some great references over time! I do...

tortoiseforum.org

Now that housing thread discusses an open top set up, which is fine for adult tortoises, but I will say, knowing how cold our uk winters get, for those who don’t brumate their temperate species, they can really struggle keeping their temperates where needed, a cover can come in really handy for maintaining your heat, the most efficient closed set ups are melamine/pvc vivs. A place called Southdown aquatics actually does custom sized vivs in the uk If you’re ever considering an upgrade

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

Lastly, this one here is probably most important to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Phew! Really hope this all helps! I know it’s a lot to go over sorrybut take all the time you need! They’ll always be folks to help with any further questions! We can break things down bit by bit, and help step by step