Russian Tortoise Hibernation

[StraightEdge Rurouni]

I just have two questions on here, as it seems as if Fluffy might be planning on hibernating soon, she's certainly enjoying her spot in the ground anyways. The reason I'm curious as I still have to get her to the vet so that we can check for parasites and such beforehand, so my questions are.

1. Is it o.k. to keep her from hibernating for the time being?

2. If she does start hibernating, is it safe/healthy/possible to wake her up for the short check up, or can the vet check up on her while she's hibernating?

 

[kimber_lee_314]

Hibernating is not necessary, so you can keep her up for as long as you want. If you're keeping her warm enough and providing enough light, she won't hibernate, but if she does start to slow down, you can certainly wake her up anytime.

 

[lynnedit]

Yes, if your tort is new to you, don't hibernate her. She can't hibernate at room temperature anyway.
Get her up every day or two for a soak and offer food. Keep the lights on 13-14 hours per day, basking area 95f, etc.
You are right to make sure she gets checked first by the vet, fecal test, etc., and you have her for good year. Then if you want to hibernate her, you can decide to do that, but you don't have to.

 

[GBtortoises]

I agree with Kimber and Lynne and would add that an even longer daylight duration would be better, 14-15 hours. I would also not hibernate a newly acquired tortoise until it has had time to completely acclimate to it's new environment. It takes at least one full year from springtime to springtime in order for a temperate climate tortoise to adapt to all seasonal changes within it's new environment.

 

[GeoTerraTestudo]

If your tortoise refuses to feed over the entire winter, it will lose too much body weight, making hibernation necessary. If you can get it to feed regularly, though, hibernation would not be necessary.

 

[StraightEdge Rurouni]

Thanks for the advice so far everyone, I think I'll definitely see about keeping her up without the hibernation this winter, so long as she's eating of course. I was actually worried about her eating for a want the food I was giving till yesterday, luckily she's been eating a lot more recently, so it's looking like she'll be able to ignore this year at the very least.

 

[lynnedit]

That is great to hear. Hibernation is a personal decision (sometimes a healthy tort makes that decision for you), but not essential.
Glad she is coming around for you!