How long should a tortoise fast before hibernation?
between two and six weeks
Prior to hibernation your tortoise will need to undergo a ‘fasting period’. This entails a fasting period of anywhere between two and six weeks beforehand, depending on the size of your tortoise.
Can I move my tortoise during hibernation?
Tortoises do move in hibernation (they will often try to ‘dig down’ as temperatures drop), and this prevents them digging too close to the outer side of the box where they lose the benefit of any insulation. Tortoises can be safely moved in hibernation.
Do you know if your tortoise needs to hibernate?
Know if your tortoise needs to hibernate. Only certain species of tortoises are meant to hibernate. This relies on your tortoise’s native environment and if his history called from hibernation in order to survive. Common species that need to hibernate are the Hermann’s tortoise, spur-thighed tortoise, Horsfield’s or Russian tortoise]
How long does it take for a box turtle to hibernate?
Small tortoises (<1kg) need 3 weeks; medium sized (1-1.5 kg) need 3-4 weeks; large tortoises (2-3kg) need 4-6 weeks. Turtles need roughly 2-3 weeks. A small turtle like a Box turtle might need only 10-14 days.
What’s the best way to care for a turtle during hibernation?
Hydrate your pet. While fasting, soak your tortoise or turtle every other day 20-30 minutes in chin-deep water. Ensure your turtle or tortoise has access to drinking water constantly, from now until the end of the entire hibernation. This helps encourage the tortoise to expel waste from its digestive tract and stay hydrated.
What should the temperature be in a tortoise box?
The optimum temperature to keep the box in is 4 to 5 degrees Celsius, and it is essential that this never approaches 10 degrees or falls lower than 3. Between 3 and 7 degrees is generally fine. If the temperature begins to approach 10 degrees, your tortoise will start using up valuable energy reserves that it needs to hibernate safely.
What do tortoises do not hibernate?
Sulcata tortoises do not hibernate, or brumate if we are using the correct scientific term. That being said, this does not leave them any less vulnerable to cold and extreme temperatures. If anything it leaves them more at risk. They do not have instinctual protection that is afforded to other species.
How long do tortoise hibernate?
Never hibernate a tortoise for more than twelve weeks, however. In general, a one-year-old tortoise could hibernate for three weeks, a two-year-old tortoise for six weeks, and a three-year-old tortoise would hibernate for ten weeks. But, again, this also depends on the condition of the tortoise and its species.
Where do tortoises hibernate?
Hibernation for a tortoise is a period of inactivity, generally below ground in a burrow or den. The body temperature is lowered and is close to that of the air temperature in the burrow, about 40° F to 60° F. The heart rate, respiration rate and all bodily processes are slowed.
