Hibernation

[Cal4]

Hello,
Recently got a 3 year old hermanns tortoise and she’s gone off her food and just wants to sleep all day, the previous owner just let her do this in the indoor enclosure and left the heat lamps off.. what should i do? Do i put the heat lamp back on for 12 hours every day and keep her active or just let her sleep with the lamp off? Im aware that if you hibernate a tortoise it needs to be done correctly but the previous owner didn't do it correct.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hello and welcome from a fellow uk member! I wouldn’t just switch off the lamp and let her sleep, it wouldn’t be a proper brumation, these are the steps to follow, though I’d probably opt to keep her awake this year(I’ll cover that in a second)

Tom's Brumation Thread

Every fall we get bombarded here on the forum with all sorts of questions and problems regarding hibernation and tortoises "slowing down" for winter. The purpose of this thread is to talk about all aspects of this subject, to dispel some of the myths and mysteries, and give a "how to" list of...

tortoiseforum.org

Seeing as most are already asleep for winter, I’d try skipping this year, to do this she’ll need to be kept well lit and well heated, you can also adjust lighting times, so basking on 14hours instead of 12 and uvb on 6 instead of 4. You may need to install a ceramic heat emitter this time of year, it’s a none light emitting heat bulb for added ambient heat and night heat.

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

 

[Sarah2020]

It is too late now for brumation and also with change of ownership there are too many changes for a tortoise... They hate change! I suggest you read above and work on the idea enclosure set up and then continue to feed, heat, light, hydrate, soak and look after the tort during 2026. Later this year assuming all is well you can plan brumation which involves no food for 3 weeks to clear the gut, the correct brumation storage etc...
Enjoy your tort ...