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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 but the principles are the same.,

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For further guidance join the hibernation group

                                                          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           12-16 weeks

go to wake up time instructions

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
beko fridge

Fridge without  ice box (beko works at 5c so ok for garage)

max min thermometer

max min Digital thermometer x2

wireless remote thermometer

remote Digital thermometer 

Have a look at shopping page for more details

Wind down for adults and juveniles

Week1

  • Stop offering food,

  • water available always,

  • soak  every other day  for 15 minutes , they need to be well hydrated

  •  Keep temperatures as normal. They need heat to digest food already in their gut

 

Week 3

  • No food.

  • water available always,  

  • Soak about twice this week.

  • Keep temperatures as normal.

 

Week 4

  • No food,

  • water available always,

  • soak in cool water towards the end of the week

  • Reduce temperatures by turning light off 2 hours earlier each day

 

Week 2

  • No food, water available always,   soak every other day.

  •  Keep temperatures as normal.

  • Keep checking fridge temperatures on the probe thermometer.

  • (miss this week for babies as they only need 3 weeks)

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Into the fridge

  • Put tortoise in a cool room during the last day, so they’re not going from centrally heated house straight into fridge.

  • Weigh her and write it down.

  • In the evening put tortoise in box in fridge and cover with paper or towel.

  • Open fridge door daily to allow air to circulate. Temperature may rise for a day or 2. Leave it to settle.

  • They may take a up to a week to settle or may be already asleep This is normal. They are all different.

  • An adult tortoise, over about 10, depending on size can hibernate for between 12-16 weeks, providing weight loss is less than 10%.

  • Babies and younger tortoises will hibernate for a shorter time. (about 8 weeks for babies and  10-12 for juveniles)

  • Calculate what 10% of starting weight is and subtract it from start of hibernation weight. It has previously been thought that is the minimum safe weight she can fall to., but most tortoises don't lose anywhere near this.

    • 10% of 1000g= 100g.

    • 1000g -100g = 900g

Wake up sleepy head

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Wake up should be slow, move them to a cool room overnight then bath in warm water in the morning before offering food and placing under lamp. Hydration is more important than eating at this stage. Further Instructions here

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