Russian hibernating? or not

[dmmj]

So has anyone else had any problems hibernating their russians? My guys just don't want to go down, they have been ery active. Not summer active mind you but I have been checking on them several times a week now, and they have been moving around a lot. So has anyone else had any problems? I think I may have to pull them out early this year, They have not lost any weight so I am not worried yet, just curious.

 

[GBtortoises]

What temperatures are they being exposed to and what duration and type of lighting is present if any? How were they prepared for brumation prior to beginning it?

 

[Laura]

mine has been down for a while now.. even before it got cooler...i was a bit worried at first...

 

[ascott]

Captain..I do not keep Russians....but my 4 CDTs all went into their sleeping beauty boxes and cold closet on Nov 1. I peek in and give em a slight foot touch to hear their clear breath about once a week ...so far all aok.

I did have a concern during a few days when the temps outside got up to 80's but just kept their room and closet closed down dark and temps held in there so they continued soundly.....my old man tortoise has not brumate for the prior two years..so this is his first since..so keeping eye on him.....

Are you brumating yours in a dark cool place or do you do the fridge thing? Hmmmm?

 

[Yvonne G]

All of mine are down whether they wanted to or not. I had to dig around in their pen to find them, then I boxed them up and put them away.

 

[ascott]

Lol Yvonne.....you are right.....I just realized I forgot to ask my guys if they wanted to.....lol...

 

[lynnedit]

So has anyone else had any problems hibernating their russians? My guys just don't want to go down, they have been ery active. Not summer active mind you but I have been checking on them several times a week now, and they have been moving around a lot. So has anyone else had any problems? I think I may have to pull them out early this year, They have not lost any weight so I am not worried yet, just curious.

I can't contribute advice, but will watch this thread. I hope to do the same next year, and can easily picture mine scratching at the sides of their hibernation boxes like a coffin (hopefully not if I wind them down...)

 

[GeoTerraTestudo]

So has anyone else had any problems hibernating their russians? My guys just don't want to go down, they have been ery active. Not summer active mind you but I have been checking on them several times a week now, and they have been moving around a lot. So has anyone else had any problems? I think I may have to pull them out early this year, They have not lost any weight so I am not worried yet, just curious.

The only reason I am hibernating my guys is because they were trying to brumate at room temperature, which of course is not good. Had they remained at least a little active (walking, feeding, excreting), then I would have overwintered them. Maybe next year.