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Young tortoises-hibernation or not ?

2 replies

adviceatthislatestage · 28/11/2020 14:36

Have two tortoises approx age 2 1/2 years. Possibly Hermanns

From what I've read, they're still too young for hibernation, but about three weeks they stopped eating and didn't appear from under their wood chipping substrate all day

This was despite their UV light being on and me putting their fave food out, eg: dandelions and rocket.

So for the past two weeks they've been asleep (?) although one did wake up, had a mooch for about ten mins and went back to sleep for the rest of the week. Didn't eat /drink anything though.

I've put food out every day and topped up water, but not put their light on. As thought if they are hibernating, best not to raise the temperature in their vivarium.

The same one again has just woken up again, and I'm confused as to what I should do. Can't get through to the vet.

Should I assume this is hibernation of a sort for young tortoises?

And if not why aren't they eating? Up until three weeks ago when they stopped eating, they couldn't get enough of what ever was put down for them.

Also how come one is waking up but not the other- hoping he's not dead?!

Their vivarium is by our back door so quite cool. If they are hibernating should I leave them as is, or put them in a box like I've read. Would this not disturb them out of hibernation.

Sorry for all the questions.

OP posts:
FourPlatinumRings · 28/11/2020 14:38

www.thetortoiseshop.com/tortoise-hibernation#:~:text=The%20breeds%20of%20tortoise%20that,eating%20365%20days%20a%20year.

This seems fairly comprehensive.

pinkbalconyrailing · 28/11/2020 14:41

what is the temperature where they are?
we looked into getting hermanns a couple of years ago and the advice then is not to let them sleep.
they react to heat and length of daylight. the viv the breeder recommended came with full spectrum lights on a 14/10 timer and a heat mat.

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