Penny/Hibernation Update

[Emma25]

Hello Nina, Lin & TT

I am happy to let you know that we took Penny out of hibernation this week, and it's been another success!

It didn't take long for her to start moving once we got her out of the fridge. She had a good long soak then spent the day basking, since we got her out she's eaten well, drank and done everything we would have expected.

Similar to last year she is awake before her lamp has even come on, and she's generally full of mischief and wanting to explore all the time (roll on summer and outside time!)

She lost around 9g in total, and safe to say I think it went like clockwork. They really are amazing that after a few weeks in the fridge, and having had no food or drink that they can be so wide awake and moving around like normal.

Thanks again for all your advice and support of the TT. I hope all other hibernations have gone well/going well and that spring and warmer weather will be with us soon..

I do have some photos but it won't let me upload them at the moment, I will try later.

Thanks
Emma

[lin]

That is wonderful news Emma, a huge relief for you and a well deserved ‘proud’ badge on the perfect hibernation.
It’s lovely when we hear stories such as these and for other people to find and read them, it must help them out a lot.

If you have problems in uploading the photos I can have a go if you send them to me at lin@thetortoisetable.org.uk and I will have a go.
Thanks for sending this in, it’s made me so happy.

Lin

[Nina]

Congratulations, Emma and Penny! So nice to hear of successful hibernations and not just problems associated with. Losing only 9g sounds textbook perfect -- how long was she in for? My two seem good, and due to come out in around three or four weeks.

Nina

[Emma25]

Hi Lin, Nina

Thank you, we are really proud of her, she has taken to it much better than us! It gives us much more confidence for the next one, and we just trust her and she leads the way.

She was in there around 9 weeks, so again I think we will look to extend that slightly next year.

I do hope this helps others, it is nerve wracking at times, but we've followed the guide Nina sent us for the last couple of years now and its worked perfectly.

Lin, I have sent those couple of pictures to you.

Thanks
Emma

[lin]

Hi Emma.
I added your photos as you have seen.
It is lovely that this experience has boosted your confidence for future long sleeps for Penny and it seems this year, because of how cold it’s been, has been particularly hard on hibernating/brumating tortoises. So have done more than exceptionally well.

Lin

[Cati9]

Emma25 wrote:
> Hello Nina, Lin & TT
>
> I am happy to let you know that we took Penny out of hibernation this week,
> and it's been another success!
>
> It didn't take long for her to start moving once we got her out of the
> fridge. She had a good long soak then spent the day basking, since we got
> her out she's eaten well, drank and done everything we would have expected.
>
>
> Similar to last year she is awake before her lamp has even come on, and
> she's generally full of mischief and wanting to explore all the time (roll
> on summer and outside time!)
>
> She lost around 9g in total, and safe to say I think it went like
> clockwork. They really are amazing that after a few weeks in the fridge,
> and having had no food or drink that they can be so wide awake and moving
> around like normal.
>
> Thanks again for all your advice and support of the TT. I hope all other
> hibernations have gone well/going well and that spring and warmer weather
> will be with us soon..
>
> I do have some photos but it won't let me upload them at the moment, I will
> try later.
>
> Thanks
> Emma
Hey Emma!

That’s awesome to hear! Sounds like Penny is doing great and adjusting well after hibernation. It’s amazing how resilient they are! Glad she’s back to exploring and causing some mischief. Hope the photos work soon so we can see her in action!

Thanks for sharing the update and wishing you both a sunny spring ahead

[AmeliaBritt]

Thank you so much for sharing.

[reynoldschicago]

Hey Emma, that’s amazing to hear about Penny! I’ve had my little one for about three months now, and we just did our first hibernation. It’s been a bit nerve-wracking, but so far, so good! I did notice she lost a bit more weight than Penny—about 12g over 9 weeks. Did you do anything specific to keep her hydration up before or after? Would love any tips!