08
Feb
This is my fifth year of hibernating tortoises. However when it comes to hibernation time your pet tortoise will need a helping hand from you to ensure all goes well.
Russian Tortoise Diet Russian Tortoises are vigorous eaters and will eat continuously in the months leading up to summer to prepare for hibernation.
Do russian tortoises need to hibernate. Do Russian Tortoises Need To Hibernate. In the wild Russian tortoises need to hibernate to survive the cold and bitter winter months and hibernation helps them reset their bodies. The best time for hibernation is thus when outdoor temperatures are between 10-18º Celsius 50-64º Fahrenheit.
Housing and hibernation are two of the most important aspects of caring for a Russian tortoise that can be kept indoors or outdoors. A Russian tortoise will often go through a natural cycle which includes a few months of hibernation during the fall and winter. This hibernation period generally occurs between October and March.
Yes most Russian tortoises hibernate during the winter and some of them hibernate during the summer. Most commonly Russian tortoises will usually hibernate in a hole that they dug underground. While most animals are only able to hibernate during the winter some Russian tortoises are also able to.
Since my Russian tortoises have already hibernated this past winter and are now back in their outside yard I think this is a moot point for you. Its too late in the season to allow a hibernation. Just keep your tortoises lights on for 14 hours and keep putting him.
This year the Russian tortoises are hibernating brumating. I have wanted to do this for several years now but was scared of it. I have done a ton of research over the past few years and am confident that I can safely allow them to hibernate now.
Along with their reputation for being slow and nervous tortoises are well known for their natural need to hibernate also known as brumation during the winter months. Do tortoises have to hibernate. Yes tortoises do need to hibernate in the interest of their general health and also to control their growth rate.
However when it comes to hibernation time your pet tortoise will need a helping hand from you to ensure all goes well. Russian tortoises do not need to hibernate to be healthy so tortoises kept indoors and maintained at stable temperatures will never skip a beat while winter winds below outside. Keep lights on 12 to 14 hours a day and turn off all light and heat sources at night.
Russian Tortoise Diet Russian Tortoises are vigorous eaters and will eat continuously in the months leading up to summer to prepare for hibernation. In the wild they are herbivores and eat grass leafy vegetables weeds and flowers. So in captivity they should be.
The Russian tortoise is one species that does hibernate whereas the leopard tortoise does not need to go into hibernation. Believe it or not some people do not hibernate any of their tortoises at all. Its mostly a matter of preference and what you feel is best for your tortoise.
In the wild Russian tortoises hibernate up to 9 months of the year. In captivity they appear to benefit from as little as 8 weeks in hibernation. Before considering hibernation its important that you are absolutely sure its in good health.
Hibernation is an important natural process every Russian tortoise goes through each year in their wild environment. In captivity they still need a 2-3 mon. Terrestrial Do tortoises hibernate by making burrows in the soil for hibernation.
The hibernation period can vary from age to age. However it also depends upon the species of the tortoises. Few species which do hibernation are the Mediterranean tortoise Russian tortoise Hermans tortoise Greek tortoises Kinixy tortoise Gopher tortoises.
Common species that need to hibernate are the Hermanns tortoise spur-thighed tortoise Horsfields or Russian tortoise and Marginated tortoise. Never hibernate tropical species of tortoises such as the Leopard tortoise. You should also not hibernate your tortoise if he is smaller than 700g in weight or if he is sick or has health problems.
Hibernation is a very dangerous time and the tortoise must be prepared carefully and kept at the proper temperatures. Only a tortoise in perfect health should be hibernated which is why a vet exam is recommended. Temperature in the hibernation box should be kept above 0C and below 10C.
Not all tortoises hibernate however the following tortoises will hibernate. The Spur-Thighed tortoise Testudo graeca Hermanns tortoise Testudo hermanni Horsfields tortoise also known as the Russian tortoise or Agrionemys Horsfieldii or Testudo Horsfieldii. This article was written in 1997.
As of this post writing I have seven Russian Tortoises. This is my fifth year of hibernating tortoises. I have never had a problem with my tortoises during their hibernations.
I reside in Nebraska where it is too cold in the winter for me to feel comfortable letting them hibernate. Do you Need to Hibernate Tortoises. Currently running a contest httpsyoutube5yDbH-8DygsFollow me on Instagram _russiantorts_In this video I talk about if you need to hibernate.