Hello to all of you.
I'm new to the forum and I'm looking for tips on how to keep Leo, my Hermann's tortoise, warm in the winter. Because of the frigid weather where I reside, I'm not sure if hibernation is necessary.
Below is a synopsis of Leo's setup:
enclosed space inside with a heat light, UVB lamp, hiding place, and basking spot.
Diet: Some fruits, leafy greens, flowers, and weeds.
vigorous and in good health.
Regarding Hermann's tortoises and hibernation, I've found contradictory facts. Potential hazards like not waking up or becoming sick worry me. But I'm also concerned about the stress that comes with seasonal changes.
Inquiries:
Does your Hermann's tortoise hibernate in a cold climate?
How are they kept track of while they hibernate?
How do I get them to wake up?
How do you regulate humidity, temperature, and lighting when you're not hibernating?
How do you maintain their interest and stimulation?
Any pointers or recommendations would be very valued!
How to Keep a Wintertime Hermann's Tortoise Warm
-
oopigoldber
- Posts: 1
- Joined: 11 Sep 2024, 04:45
Re: How to Keep a Wintertime Hermann's Tortoise Warm
Hi Oopigoldber and welcome to The Tortoise Table!
Hermann's tortoises are a lovely species and they do hibernate, but before I give you information on that, can you tell me how long you have had him and how old he is? If he is only a hatchling, or if you haven't had him for about a year then we wouldn't advise hibernating this year. The reason for this is that tortoises need to be in the very best of health before hibernating, and it takes a year or so for you to get to know him well and to be able to tell if he is a bit off colour.
If you do keep him awake this winter, we can give you lots of tips on how to do this and keep him healthy and happy, as you might find that as autumn and winter approach he slows down a lot and loses his appetite. If he is suitable for hibernating we will send full instructions on preparing him for hibernation (one of the most important parts of the process), hibernation itself, how long he should hibernate, waking from hibernation, etc.
I can easily answer all of your enquiries, but we need to know first whether it would be best to hibernate him this year or keep him awake, so if you can tell me his age and how long you have had him then we can get started.
Just a little tip -- when you are writing your post, below the box in which you are writing there are some tick boxes, and if you tick the one that says 'notify me when a reply is posted' then you'll get a message everytime someone posts something in your thread.
Nina
Hermann's tortoises are a lovely species and they do hibernate, but before I give you information on that, can you tell me how long you have had him and how old he is? If he is only a hatchling, or if you haven't had him for about a year then we wouldn't advise hibernating this year. The reason for this is that tortoises need to be in the very best of health before hibernating, and it takes a year or so for you to get to know him well and to be able to tell if he is a bit off colour.
If you do keep him awake this winter, we can give you lots of tips on how to do this and keep him healthy and happy, as you might find that as autumn and winter approach he slows down a lot and loses his appetite. If he is suitable for hibernating we will send full instructions on preparing him for hibernation (one of the most important parts of the process), hibernation itself, how long he should hibernate, waking from hibernation, etc.
I can easily answer all of your enquiries, but we need to know first whether it would be best to hibernate him this year or keep him awake, so if you can tell me his age and how long you have had him then we can get started.
Just a little tip -- when you are writing your post, below the box in which you are writing there are some tick boxes, and if you tick the one that says 'notify me when a reply is posted' then you'll get a message everytime someone posts something in your thread.
Nina
Re: How to Keep a Wintertime Hermann's Tortoise Warm
Hiya, sorry I don’t know your name, and thanks for contacting us about hibernation / brumation.
There is a lot of reliable literature about the pros and cons of to hibernate or not and I will share those trusted ones with you so that you can hold onto them and read them in your own time.
We have our own article here that we put together to help for the exact reasons your asking - https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/tor ... -tortoise/
This one is a very good, nicely laid out and although it’s long it’s very informative - https://www.tortoisetrust.com/post/safe ... r-tortoise
incase you don’t have a Hermann caresheet - https://www.tortoise-protection-group.o ... 014New.pdf
The fact is that by owning a tortoise we strive to keep it in the conditions it would be in its own habitat. There it would hibernate naturally but when we translate that to our own homeland it becomes scary, we don’t have the weather conditions annd they are unreliable, and as you have found the conflicting advice isn’t easy to decipher.
Your questions….I will answer then here and I will also send you a set of hibernation articles showing different methods.
How are they kept track of while they hibernate? We weigh the tortoise the day they go into hibernation (some people do this during the wind down period but in mu opinion it’s not necessary and only important to watch their weight ‘during’ hibernation. By weighing weekly while they are sleeping and keeping a record we check the tortoise over, record the weight and make sure they have now released any fluid and put them back.
How do I get them to wake up? Simply be removing them from their hibernation place and placing them where they can come round slowly and be able to get to a heat source.
How do you regulate humidity, temperature, and lighting when you're not hibernating? By the use of electrical timer, people often use them for household lamps. These can be used for a multiple of things and the temperature can be regulated with a Habistat controller.
How do you maintain their interest and stimulation? While they are awake indoors? By offering a nice large open top enclosure, plenty of bright light and things, areas to explore.
Any pointers or recommendations would be very valued! I will add the link for the timer and methods for hibernation and waking up.
https://www.exotic-pets.co.uk/habistat- ... ostat.html
Hibernation Wind down: https://www.tortoise-protection-group.o ... cedure.pdf
Hibernation Fridge: https://www.tortoise-protection-group.o ... Sept16.pdf
Hibernation. Box: https://www.tortoise-protection-group.o ... OV2016.pdf
Hibernation Waking up: https://www.tortoise-protection-group.o ... 080608.pdf
If there is anything I have missed or you need to ask anything else then let us know.
Lin
There is a lot of reliable literature about the pros and cons of to hibernate or not and I will share those trusted ones with you so that you can hold onto them and read them in your own time.
We have our own article here that we put together to help for the exact reasons your asking - https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/tor ... -tortoise/
This one is a very good, nicely laid out and although it’s long it’s very informative - https://www.tortoisetrust.com/post/safe ... r-tortoise
incase you don’t have a Hermann caresheet - https://www.tortoise-protection-group.o ... 014New.pdf
The fact is that by owning a tortoise we strive to keep it in the conditions it would be in its own habitat. There it would hibernate naturally but when we translate that to our own homeland it becomes scary, we don’t have the weather conditions annd they are unreliable, and as you have found the conflicting advice isn’t easy to decipher.
Your questions….I will answer then here and I will also send you a set of hibernation articles showing different methods.
How are they kept track of while they hibernate? We weigh the tortoise the day they go into hibernation (some people do this during the wind down period but in mu opinion it’s not necessary and only important to watch their weight ‘during’ hibernation. By weighing weekly while they are sleeping and keeping a record we check the tortoise over, record the weight and make sure they have now released any fluid and put them back.
How do I get them to wake up? Simply be removing them from their hibernation place and placing them where they can come round slowly and be able to get to a heat source.
How do you regulate humidity, temperature, and lighting when you're not hibernating? By the use of electrical timer, people often use them for household lamps. These can be used for a multiple of things and the temperature can be regulated with a Habistat controller.
How do you maintain their interest and stimulation? While they are awake indoors? By offering a nice large open top enclosure, plenty of bright light and things, areas to explore.
Any pointers or recommendations would be very valued! I will add the link for the timer and methods for hibernation and waking up.
https://www.exotic-pets.co.uk/habistat- ... ostat.html
Hibernation Wind down: https://www.tortoise-protection-group.o ... cedure.pdf
Hibernation Fridge: https://www.tortoise-protection-group.o ... Sept16.pdf
Hibernation. Box: https://www.tortoise-protection-group.o ... OV2016.pdf
Hibernation Waking up: https://www.tortoise-protection-group.o ... 080608.pdf
If there is anything I have missed or you need to ask anything else then let us know.
Lin
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