Pet Care Tips, Advice and Information

Do remember that individual tortoises will hibernate at different times and that each one will vary as to its time of awakening. The weather varies so much throughout temperate regions that a definite indication cannot be given. By about October, however, most tortoises will become sluggish and indifferent to food. This is a sure sign that they should be allowed to go without food for three weeks or so, to clear the digestive system before commencing their long winter sleep.

The house the tortoise has inhabited during the summer may be used for hibernation, but a specially prepared box is more suitable. (It should be in the region of 30 000 cc [1 cu. ft] capacity for each tortoise). Place about 5 cm (2 in) of dry leaves, or hay, in the bottom. Place the tortoise in this and then completely surround the pet to a depth of about 8 cm (3 in) with same bedding. Now cover the top of the box with fine wire mesh, or a perforated wooden lid so that the box is ventilated but rat proof and place it in a cold shed, or outhouse, which is frost proof.

This is done, the tortoise may be left to sleep peacefully until about March.

With the approach of spring the tortoise will gradually will return to activity and your attention will be needed. For instance, f the mouth and eyes have become glued up,bathe them gently with warm water to wash away congealed mucus; if necessary treat the nostrils similarly.

Fresh drinking water will be appreciated at this time and your tortoise will not be averse to a warm bath to help with the waking process. To bath, place the tortoise in a large dish containing about 4 cm (1.5 inch) of lukewarm water (about 29 °C [85 °F]), so that the lower part of the body is immersed, but the head can be kept clear, About 5- 10 minutes should be sufficient.

At first leave the tortoise outside only during the sunnier part of the day. Only when the weather has become reasonably warm and the tortoise is active can it be allowed to stay out permanently.

Information sheets currently being provided in the United Kingdom suggest that provided tortoises are kept in centrally heated accomodation it is possible to keep them awake throughout winte and his procedure has in a number of cases proved to be satisfactory. However, hibernation is a normal part of the tortoise’s life cycle and it is generally believes that those tortoises kept unnaturally awake may become more sluggish than their fellows who have hibernated, and will at any rate have a reduced lifespan.