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Hibernate or overwinter?

To hibernate or not, is a choice. Opinion is divided. Mediterranean tortoises hibernate naturally in their native habitat. Some keepers prefer to  overwinter them.  Molly hibernates in a fridge as that is the most reliable way to control temperature. There are other methods outlined in pdf files at bottom of page but the principles are the same., I prefer using a fridge

                                                   Wind down         hibernation

Babies-1-3 yrs. (40Grams+      3 weeks          8-10weeks

Juvenile. 3-9. (200-1kg)          4 weeks           9-12 weeks

Adults 8+ (around 1kg +)        4 weeks           12-14 weeks

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For further guidance join the hibernation group

Be prepared

Make sure you have your hibernation box ready in fridge

Put a layer of coir deep enough to dig.

Get your shredded paper or towel ready to cover tortoise.

Your fridge should be turned on now to give it time to settle to between 3-7C. 5C is the temperature you are aiming for

 

 

Never hibernate a tortoise that has been ill in the previous 6 months or so.

If you worm your tortoise, do it before august as in can upset their gut and they need time to recover.

 

 

‘Winding Down’

It is important that any food in the gut is fully digested and expelled before hibernation.

Any undigested food left in the gut will rot and cause the tortoise to be very ill or die. It takes about 4 weeks for the food to pass through an adult tortoise. This time can be shortened to 3 weeks for younger or smaller tortoises.( under 10yrs as a guide)

 

 

plastic box with coir deep enough to bury, with or without loose lid

hibernation box

Have a look at shopping page for more details

Fridge without  ice box (beko works at temperature above 10c

beko fridge
thermometerwith alarm.jpg

max min Digital thermometer x2

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remote Digital thermometer 

If your tortoise is over 40 grams, healthy and eating well you can hibernate her/him. In order to be sure of this you need to have been able to observe them for 12 months prior to hibernation. During this time if you suspect your tortoise has worms you can do a worm check, this needs to be done before August. Worming treatment is harsh on the gut and they need a couple of months to recover from it before hibernation. Tortoises usually start to think about winding down around October but if you can leave it a bit later, the hibernation period ends later which is better for waking up in spring when food is more readily available. For this reason we try to start the juveniles (aged 4-7 approx) a bit later at the beginning of November. In order to keep them eating till you are ready you will need to ensure they are keeping warm.

Winding down is the process of preparing a pet tortoise for a safe hibernation. Any food in the gut must be digested before they start hibernation as anything left undigested will rot. It takes roughly 4 weeks for this to happen in an adult tortoise. They need to be warm enough to digest what is in the system and  cool enough to not be hunting for food.  In order to hibernate safely, your tortoise needs to have a full bladder and an empty stomach 

Lights and heat as normal during the day. Night heat around 15c

Make sure you have a fridge/ box/ pit ready and are monitoring temps. Aim for 5c. But 3c - 7c is acceptable.

There are no hard and fast rules, common sense is also required.

and gut.

 Remember, it is a natural process for the tortoises  and it's the owners who get stressed. For first time hibernators, don't worry and follow the guide.

Wind down for adults and juveniles

Adult-8yrs+/juvenile-4-7yrs --wind down- week 4 (last week)

  • No food

  • Water is always available.

BIG CHANGES IN LIGHTING.

Reduce daylight/heat hours by 2/3 hrs each day. Aim is to have no heat or light by the end of the week. One last soak if you feel it is needed. If still pooping or weeing you can extend this week by a few more days.

Make sure you have a fridge/ box/ pit ready and are monitoring temps. Aim for 5c. 3c - 7c is acceptable.

  • On the last day, weigh your tortoise, ignore weight lost during wind down, it's today's weight that is important. Record weight, any method is ok as long as you don't lose it.

  • On the last day, put your tortoise somewhere cool, (porch?).

  • Wait till night time when your tortoise should be asleep and place in fridge/box/whatever.

 

Wake up sleepy head

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At the end of your hibernation period choose a convenient day

Get your tortoise out of the fridge or box in the evening and put it somewhere at room temperature overnight.

After about 12 hours acclimatising to room temperature your tortoise should be awake, give the tortoise a warm soak for about 20 minutes.

Put her in her enclosure with access to heat lamp and food, she will move towards the lamp and food when she’s ready. Don’t rush things. It may take a few days for them to start eating properly, during this time it is important that they stay hydrated so daily soaks are ok for the 1st week.

. Further Instructions here

Adult-8yrs+/juvenile-4-7yrs --wind down - week 1

  • No food

  • Remove all plants from the enclosure

  • Lights and heat as normal during the day ,about 12 hours

  • Night heat around 10c-15c

  • Fresh water available

  • Bath twice this week. any days.

  • Make sure no-one is secretly feeding your tortoise.(It has been known)

  • Make sure you have a fridge/ box/ pit ready and are monitoring temps. Aim for 5c. 3c - 7c is acceptable.

  • They need to be warm enough to digest what is in the system and cool enough to not be hunting for food.

  • Remember, it is a natural process for the tortoises  and it's the owners who get stressed. For first time hibernators, don't worry and follow the guide.

 

Adult-8yrs+/juvenile-4-7yrs --wind down-Week 2

Week 2 is basically same as 1st week

  • No food

  • Lights and heat as normal during the day

  • Night heat around 10c-15c

  • Water is always available.

  • Soak twice this week.

 

 

Adult-8yrs+/juvenile-4-7yrs --wind down-Week 3.

  • No food

  • Lights and heat as normal during the day

  • Night heat around 10c-15c

  • Water is always available.

  • Soak twice this week any days.

​

Adult-8yrs+/juvenile-4-7yrs --wind down- Last day

Your tortoise should be asleep or very nearly by now. Lights should have been off for a day or 2.

I hope everything is prepared and temps are stable in your fridge or box.

  • On the last day, weigh your tortoise, ignore weight lost during wind down, it's today's weight that is important.

  • Record weight, any method is ok as long as you don't lose it.

  • On the last day put your tortoise somewhere cool, (porch?).

  • Wait till night time when your tortoise should be asleep and place in the fridge or box, which you have already prepared and have monitored the temperature for the last few weeks.

Apart from opening the fridge door every day to let a little air in, that is your job done.

If your tortoise is healthy and had gained a little weight this year, has been properly wound down, your temps are good (5c) then he will have a happy hibernation and you can relax.

Don't worry if they poo, it's only old stuff, I'd be more concerned about a significant amount of wee.

The recommended length of hibernation as with wind down is determined by the size of your tortoise.

Don't keep checking in the 1st few days. Some tortoises take time to settle, if the temperature is between 3-7c they will settle. You can check the weight weekly or fortnightly.

I keep reading that losing 10% of body weight is acceptable during hibernation. I don't agree with that, they should lose very little or no weight. Less than 5%

 

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