HIBERNATION!!!

[James14]

Hey Everyone,

I Have Just Got A Horsefield Tortoise And Was Wandering How Long You Should Wait Before Hibernating?

The Tortoise Is Only 2-3 Inches.

Also, How Do You Tell The Difference Between Horsefield And Hermann.

Thanks In Advance

 

[Maggie Cummings]

You shouldn't hibernate any animal the first year you have it. Also I personally don't believe in hibernating babies like what you are describing. But that is my personal preference. Welcome to the forum...

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi James:

If your new baby is only 2 to 3 inches in a straight line, front to back, then its still a pretty young baby and in my opinion, shouldn't be hibernated. I don't allow hibernation until they are about 3 years old.

There is a big visual difference between a Hermann's and a Russian. When you do a web search, click on the "image" button at the top of your screen then search for each tortoise individually. You'll see. Big difference.

and...Welcome to the forum!!

 

[James14]

Thanks Very Much
That Really Helped

 

[tortoisenerd]

Welcome to the group! When the tort is larger you can consider hibernating, but by no means is it necessary. From the research I have done and my own personal opinion, I never plan to hibernate my Russian. I think the risks outweigh the benefits for me and my tort.

 

[Paige Lewis]

I found this interesting to read as i had been thinking about hibernation but the thought of it really scares me with my tortoise only being 10 months old and still very small. I will definately not be doing it now at least until he is a fair bit bigger. The specialist vet i go to has been talking to me about possibly doing it this winter if my tortoise is fit for it, the vet is brilliant and keeps tortoises himself and clearly very experienced, so for his tortoises being in such great hands hibernation is good but for me having no experience with it i would feel a lot happier waiting until mine is bigger and a lot less fragile.

 

[Yvonne G]

Over the years (some 35 plus) I've lost quite a few turtles and tortoises over hibernation. If you have the where-with-all to keep a tortoise awake during the cold months, then it certainly can be done. There really is no reason that they HAVE to hibernate. Its only their mechanism to keep them alive during the cold weather. So if you keep them warm and keep their lights on like during the summer, then they will be fin without hibernating.