Warm hibernation?

fiona6catt

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Hi, I am in need of some help, I have a marginated tortoise that is almost 6 years old. I have never hibernated him, he is inside most of the time only goes outside in summer. At the moment he is off his food and is very still and sleeping all the time. He has positioned himself under his heat lamp which is on for 9 hours a day along with his uv lamp which he has had as long as I have owned him (5 years, bulbs are changed) he is warm, room temperature doesn't drop below 15 degrees and he is near a radiator. I check him every day to make sure he is stil alive and he is. He doesn't open his eyes though. Is it possible as he has never hibernated that he is somehow confused and is wanting to hibernate himself? Should I cool him down or keep him warm? I am very nervous as I have never done this before. He is also still quite small (fits in palm of hand) but I believe they are a small breed. Any help or advice will be very much appreciated thankyou
 

mark1

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soak him often in warm water , and bright bright lights , by bright I can give you an example of what I believe is bright , and I've waken up a lot of turtles without any issues and quickly , within days ...... I just woke up some first year blandings that were outside and haven't eaten in near two months , they ate within two days of coming in .... over a 75 gallon aquarium I have 2 , 4ft ,6500k fluorescents , 1 4ft 2800k fluorescent 1 4ft uvb fluorescent , 1 full spectrum fluorescent plant light , and 1 150 watt basking lamp , it's on 14 hours a day ....... I think bright as full of a spectrum light you can give them is usually the answer , and of course warmth ..... if it doesn't work within a week i'd see a vet and consider a round of antibiotics ........ warm hibernation kills turtles ....... cold hibernation is much easier on them
 

Tom

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Hi, I am in need of some help, I have a marginated tortoise that is almost 6 years old. I have never hibernated him, he is inside most of the time only goes outside in summer. At the moment he is off his food and is very still and sleeping all the time. He has positioned himself under his heat lamp which is on for 9 hours a day along with his uv lamp which he has had as long as I have owned him (5 years, bulbs are changed) he is warm, room temperature doesn't drop below 15 degrees and he is near a radiator. I check him every day to make sure he is stil alive and he is. He doesn't open his eyes though. Is it possible as he has never hibernated that he is somehow confused and is wanting to hibernate himself? Should I cool him down or keep him warm? I am very nervous as I have never done this before. He is also still quite small (fits in palm of hand) but I believe they are a small breed. Any help or advice will be very much appreciated thankyou


Hello and welcome.

Why only 9 hours a day on the lights? They should be on for at least 12, and more like 13-14 hours if you are trying to discourage hibernation.

What is the basking temperature under the lamp?

What type of UV lamp are you using?

15 C is normally on the low side of acceptable for this species, but given the issue you are having, I wouldn't let the night temp drop below 20 C.

Marginata are the largest of the Testudo. It sounds like your little guy is growing on the slow side. This is not necessarily bad, but given all the other factors, like he doesn't open his eyes, you might have a problem.

Here is some care info that should help. Care for all the Testudo is very similar.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Read these and see if you are missing any of the important details.
 

Yvonne G

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I would be worried the tortoise is sick. They don't normally position themselves under the light to hibernate. Go the soaking route advised above.
 

fiona6catt

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Thanks all much appreciated, the breeder advised us 8 hours of lamp light was recommended. His temperature under the lamps is around 30 degrees when they are on. I have currently got his lamps on permanently and will warm bathe him daily for a week see if he improves. Is pneumonia a possibility? Also my local vets don't really know what to do with tortoises can anyone recommend a specialist in the Lancashire area?
 

JoesMum

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Hi Fiona and welcome from Kent where it's a rather chilly -6 outside at the moment.

Follow those links that Tom gave you and you will be good.

The lights need to be on for 14 hours at this time of year in the UK. Using a timer makes this much easier by the way as you don't have to be around to switch them on and off.

Then your tort needs complete darkness at night, so use a Ceramic Heat Emitter with a thermostat to maintain night temperatures. This can be on 24/7 as it will only cut in and use power when temperatures dip.

The Tortoise Table, a fab website for looking up plants for suitability to feed, has a list of UK herp vets. They may have one near you
http://thetortoisetable.org.uk/site/lists_of_vets_by_area_73.asp
 

fiona6catt

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Hello all, just got back from the vets and despite my best efforts following your advice, unfortunately my little man has passed away. They think as he has tried to hibernate himself having never done it before, his system wasn't completely empty of food so as his body has shut down the food has started to decay and caused septicaemia. Rest in peace Mr Percy Pickles x
 
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