Hibernation

[sidandpolly]

I have 2 hermans which are approx 2 years old. I know they don't hibernate at a young age. But when they get older do you have to hibernate your hermans. I don't really like the sound of it because I will be panicking that rats etc..... Will come and gobble them all up?

 

[CactusVinnie]

First thing: WRONG, they hibernate from their first winter! Yes, if there are a possibility of predator attack, not to assume "they maybe not", because it can end horrible; better choose other variant, like protected enclosures or fridge.
Mines burrow by themselves, then I digg them up and place them in the underground hydrofore pump chamber. Rodent risk is high, especially mice, although rats are present too.

 

[Tartaruga!]

My herman is apparently 2yrs old too. I would be interested to know how big yours are to compare to mine. I've been told mines quite small.

Also it's the first winter for me with mine, altho i grew up with oldies, who took themselves to hibernation each yr. But the 1 I have now is a baby so is currently indoors. How do I go about my first hibernation. When, how, where, how long etc.
All info gratefully received

 

[CactusVinnie]

Where are you located? Please measure and weigh your Hermanni, also a picture will help.

I don't know how fit is an indoor animal for hibernation. I would not risk for now. I would only slow him a bit, by reducing daylength and heating, kinda North-African winter. Then next spring offer him an outdoor enclosure, good weeds and calcium, and only after that the baby will be surely fit to hibernate for 4-5 months without problems.
Maybe it can be done even for indoor animals, but not knowing yet, I cannot say. But for outdoors ones, healthy and accorded with seasonal changes, it cames naturally and no loses.
I always advocate hibernation no matter the size or age, only with the mentioned conditions: outdoor kept, healthy, well-fed, correct preparations.

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

Brumating (hibernation is slightly different) your tortoise is absolutely optional, and there are many good reasons NOT to do so, safety being just one.

In almost 40 years of keeping European tortoises, I've never brumated any, and mine're every bit as healthy as those who were brumated.