Hello. I have come here for advice.
I have two tortoises which have lived on our land for two years (not pets, just happened to be on our land and we see them in summer occasionally when we're lucky enough to spot them). I have never cared for them, they just get up to their own thing. I live in Albania now right on the border of Greece so I assume they are Greek tortoises. Anyway, it's December, and my dog got through one of our fences and found one of them. Luckily no damage done. He wasn't moving so I thought he might still be in hibernation. The internet informed me that he would be too weak to dig himself a second hibernation hole so to hibernate him at home would be best so i did the double box thing with shredded paper and air holes and put him/her in the attic and tried to make sure the temp was between 3-10 degrees as best I could. He was there for two days not moving and I thought it was ok but the third day he woke up and was scrambling around in his box. I read on the internet that they cant go into hibernation twice so I should keep him awake over the winter at home. So for the past two days I have been bathing him and placing food around in various locations (tomatoes were suggested as straight after coming out of hibernation). He drinks while bathing and is super active moving around all day and super strong but he doesnt eat. Only a tiny amount of tomato yesterday. From what I've read on the internet looking after tortoises is really complex and requires a lot of equipment I dont have.I dont have access to a uv/heatlamps and tables, etc. and vets here cater to livestock. Today he keeps heading for dark corners and im worried he's trying to hibernate and I dont think I have the tools to keep summer weather and temp in the house here. I've got central heating but thats the best I can do. So Im not sure what to do. If I put him back outside will he survive better alone or will he definitely die? Simple do-it yourself, low-tech instructions appreciated.
Thanks
I have two tortoises which have lived on our land for two years (not pets, just happened to be on our land and we see them in summer occasionally when we're lucky enough to spot them). I have never cared for them, they just get up to their own thing. I live in Albania now right on the border of Greece so I assume they are Greek tortoises. Anyway, it's December, and my dog got through one of our fences and found one of them. Luckily no damage done. He wasn't moving so I thought he might still be in hibernation. The internet informed me that he would be too weak to dig himself a second hibernation hole so to hibernate him at home would be best so i did the double box thing with shredded paper and air holes and put him/her in the attic and tried to make sure the temp was between 3-10 degrees as best I could. He was there for two days not moving and I thought it was ok but the third day he woke up and was scrambling around in his box. I read on the internet that they cant go into hibernation twice so I should keep him awake over the winter at home. So for the past two days I have been bathing him and placing food around in various locations (tomatoes were suggested as straight after coming out of hibernation). He drinks while bathing and is super active moving around all day and super strong but he doesnt eat. Only a tiny amount of tomato yesterday. From what I've read on the internet looking after tortoises is really complex and requires a lot of equipment I dont have.I dont have access to a uv/heatlamps and tables, etc. and vets here cater to livestock. Today he keeps heading for dark corners and im worried he's trying to hibernate and I dont think I have the tools to keep summer weather and temp in the house here. I've got central heating but thats the best I can do. So Im not sure what to do. If I put him back outside will he survive better alone or will he definitely die? Simple do-it yourself, low-tech instructions appreciated.
Thanks