summer hibernation?

[Remy and Greta]

we have lost our three year old herman tortoise. it is not possible for her to escape the enclosure...we are 99% certain....and are wondering, if she has burrowed donw to escape this hot summer, how long she can last without food and water, and what will trigger her to wake up and get up again as she wont be getting any warmth? do tortoises hibernate if they are too hungry or hot?
we miss her.

 

[Millerlite]

Its very possible she is dug down somewhere. Check patches of grass and anywehre where the soild doesnt look super compact. Tortoises can go awhile without food or water, in the summer you should see her though even on hot days in the morning or evening you might see them out. ITs very possible she escaped too, just check every possible option., Good luck, keep us updated

Kyle

 

[Maro2Bear]

Greetings it’s very possible your tort got tired of the big UK “heat wave” and decided to dig down until things cool down. In this state of aestavation, they require very little in the form of water or food.

Take a read here....

Aestivation
Aestivation is a period of deep and prolonged sleep, or torpor, that occurs in the summer or dry season in response to heat and drought. Food can often be scarce at such times, so animals avoid using up hard won energy reserves by lowering their metabolic rate. This reduces the need for food and water during hard times, ensuring longer-term survival.

When conditions are right your tort should dig out. Lets hope he didnt escape....

Good luck.

 

[Remy and Greta]

Its very possible she is dug down somewhere. Check patches of grass and anywehre where the soild doesnt look super compact. Tortoises can go awhile without food or water, in the summer you should see her though even on hot days in the morning or evening you might see them out. ITs very possible she escaped too, just check every possible option., Good luck, keep us updated

Kyle

thank you very much. we re baffled as we cant see how she might have escaped but yes she hasnt been around at all so its very odd. so she shouldnt be trying to hibernate in summer?

 

[Maro2Bear]

If it’s been so hot and dry there....your tort is programmed to aestivate (aka hibernate). So it’s normal... though it would be nice to know if hes in your garden or on the run.

@JoesMum might have some more to add or @Bee62

 

[Bee62]

@Remy and Greta
Can you show us some pics of the enclosure where your tortoise got lost ?
They can dig themselves completely in when it is to hot for them. Searching for humidity in the ground.
You can try and sprinkle the enclosure with water, maybe use a hose. When the tortoise feels the "rain", she might come back up, stretching her neck and head out of the soil.

 

[Tom]

thank you very much. we re baffled as we cant see how she might have escaped but yes she hasnt been around at all so its very odd. so she shouldnt be trying to hibernate in summer?

What have your daily high temps been reaching there? What temp is is dropping to at night?

Is theft a possibility? They can also climb surprisingly well. How tall are the walls? Corners capped?

 

[Remy and Greta]

If it’s been so hot and dry there....your tort is programmed to aestivate (aka hibernate). So it’s normal... though it would be nice to know if hes in your garden or on the run.

@JoesMum might have some more to add or @Bee62

ah thank you so much, we re baffled and sad. normally we find her but just cant this time. fnigers crossed she will

@Remy and Greta
Can you show us some pics of the enclosure where your tortoise got lost ?
They can dig themselves completely in when it is to hot for them. Searching for humidity in the ground.
You can try and sprinkle the enclosure with water, maybe use a hose. When the tortoise feels the "rain", she might come back up, stretching her neck and head out of the soil.

p

 

[Remy and Greta]

this is part of it. we put the little fence up

 

[Remy and Greta]

and this. still cant find her, i will sprinkle water. thanks so much

 

[Remy and Greta]

oh, i thougt i had posted photos? i ll try again.

 

[Remy and Greta]

the thing is we share 23 acres of land with twenty other families. but we made the little area full proof, we thought, and she has never got out or even close before, we have had her for three years.
there is the very remote possibility that a child or dog might have picked her up and put her down outside the enclosure but its highly unlikely, especially as she was hardly out at all.
how deep can they dig down?

 

[Bee62]

Your fence is not tall. Tortoises are excellent climbers. Maybe she climbed out now that she is 3 years old and bigger.
They can dig themselves in that the carapax is smoothly covered with soil. Try the water method.
Good luck that you can find her.

 

[ascott]

View attachment 244736 View attachment 244738 View attachment 244739 View attachment 244735 oh, i thougt i had posted photos? i ll try again.

If It were me....I would get down on hands and knees and search the perimeter of the brick house foundation....that would be where I would head under....