Hello and welcome from Devon.Does Bill usually wake up on his own? Where does he hibernate? And where does he live - outside in the garden, or indoors? What sort of tortoise is he?My tortoise, Bill, who I have had for 55 years, went in to hibernation mid October. He is still asleep and it is now 4 months. Should I wake him up? I have never had to do this before.
He has a wooden hibernation box which has vivarium bedding in it and this is in the garage. The same arrangement for years. He has always woken up himself. Once warm enough he lives in the garden but I have a heat lamp and box for him once he comes out of hibernation. Also do the warm bath soak. Usually I get it right, more of less 4 months to the day he wakes up, this is why I am concerned.Hello and welcome from Devon.Does Bill usually wake up on his own? Where does he hibernate? And where does he live - outside in the garden, or indoors? What sort of tortoise is he?
The weather here has been very mixed, hasn't it, and there might be more really cold weather to come, so I would think it would be ok to let him sleep a bit longer. There is lots of information on this forum about how to wake and warm up tortoises, but I am not an expert, and our Hermanns Zola doesn't hibernate, as he mainly lives indoors. I think it is usually suggested that you give them a very long soak in warm water, keeping the water re-heated - to help rehydrate them, and then put them under a basking lamp. Then another warm soak.
Best wishes to you and Bill
Angie
Thanks for explaining the situation - I do understand the problem - is it possible to check on him without disturbing him? My guess would be that the weather variability has confused his inner clock, if he is normally so regular. However , if you did wake him up by checking him,I think following his usual routine on waking would be ok. He sounds like a great chap - what sort of tortoise is he? Zola is only 22, but we really appreciate his companionship, -and you have had Bill so long - he must be your oldest friend -how lovely !!He has a wooden hibernation box which has vivarium bedding in it and this is in the garage. The same arrangement for years. He has always woken up himself. Once warm enough he lives in the garden but I have a heat lamp and box for him once he comes out of hibernation. Also do the warm bath soak. Usually I get it right, more of less 4 months to the day he wakes up, this is why I am concerned.
He looks a very fine fellow - thanks ! I have been thinking about him waking up, and I would be inclined to leave him a bit longer - but, as I said, I am no expert. It is only just four months, after all, and he may appear any day. However, if you check on him very gently, you can at least tell if he looks all right - leaving him too long might dehydrate him too much.You could check if he had peed in the box, as that would also indicate dehydration.This is a photo of Bill, taken last year when he was awake!!
Not sure what breed he is, think probably a Hermann. He has had many lives, once escaping his pen and being found floating in a brook, I asked my Mother what she did and her reply was 'well I tip him up to empty him and then put him in the sun to dry out', another time he went missing (escaping again) for 3 days and spotted walking down the middle of the road!
Quite a character.
If the temperatures are still correct, I'd leave him be. What is the weather doing outside?My tortoise, Bill, who I have had for 55 years, went in to hibernation mid October. He is still asleep and it is now 4 months. Should I wake him up? I have never had to do this before.
Is there any news about Bill yet? I do hope you will let people here know when he emerges.This is a photo of Bill, taken last year when he was awake!!
Not sure what breed he is, think probably a Hermann. He has had many lives, once escaping his pen and being found floating in a brook, I asked my Mother what she did and her reply was 'well I tip him up to empty him and then put him in the sun to dry out', another time he went missing (escaping again) for 3 days and spotted walking down the middle of the road!
Quite a character.
Bill is awake, he has just had a good soak and drink, now under his heat lamp. He started to disturb his bedding and was right at the top, so I made a decision to wake him fully. Thanks everyone for your help and concerns.Is there any news about Bill yet? I do hope you will let people here know when he emerges.
By the way, I don't think he is a Hermann, comparing his shell pattern to Zola's, but someone here will know for sure.
Angie
Bill is awake, he has just had a good soak and drink, now under his heat lamp. He started to disturb his bedding and was right at the top, so I made a decision to wake him fully. Thanks everyone for your help and concerns.
I am so glad - congratulations. You must be feeling so relieved. He clearly knows what to do and when - but I do understand you worrying. Best wishes to you both from AngieBill is awake, he has just had a good soak and drink, now under his heat lamp. He started to disturb his bedding and was right at the top, so I made a decision to wake him fully. Thanks everyone for your help and concerns.
Update on Bill.Bill is awake, he has just had a good soak and drink, now under his heat lamp. He started to disturb his bedding and was right at the top, so I made a decision to wake him fully. Thanks everyone for your help and concerns.