hibernation, in the fridge

[naomij]

i have bought a new fridge, had it on for the last few weeks to test temp, took a good while to get it to 4-5oc is this right?

also how do i box my torts, can they both go in together (same shoe box) do i just put a little soil in, or add shredded paper or readihay? if so, how much.

how many holes do you put in the top of the box and do you put this box into another box or just on its own? i keep ready so many different ways. it is all very confussing and i am worrying myself silly.

taylor will not be hibernated this year due to not thriving, she is inside and is doing okayish.
my others are outside in the heated shed at present but have slowed down, they are 08 hatchlings, so i was thinking of the end of dec-end march to go to sleep, is this right , is it enough time?
please advice xxx

[aerofine]

My 2 are 07 born. They will be going into the fridge the 1st Dec and I will awaken them the beginning of March. I put mine into the fridge into one big box that has 2 seperate compartments in it. You need to keep them seperate so you can check if they have weed - as if they have you need to wake from hibernation. I use hemp as bedding for them in the box. The box I use is insulated with polystyrene. Your temps are perfect!

[naomij]

thank you, what is hemp? does everyone use this?

do you polysterine the outside of the shoe box? where do you buy that from also lol, i just have a shoe box lol

[SteveinDevon]

My fridge (comet clearance) arrived today Will be monitoring & adjusting the temps over the next couple of weeks to get it just right for them.

As i understand it they need no insulation, just something they are comfortable in, as the fridge method obviously keeps the temperature stable (I stand to be corrected though ).
Matty will be going in the salad drawer on some topsoil and Noddy, who is rather bigger, will be on the shelf above in a cardboard box, again with some topsoil..

[-EJ]

The only thing a fridge is good for is keeping beer cold.

Originally Posted by naomij

i have bought a new fridge, had it on for the last few weeks to test temp, took a good while to get it to 4-5oc is this right?

also how do i box my torts, can they both go in together (same shoe box) do i just put a little soil in, or add shredded paper or readihay? if so, how much.

how many holes do you put in the top of the box and do you put this box into another box or just on its own? i keep ready so many different ways. it is all very confussing and i am worrying myself silly.

taylor will not be hibernated this year due to not thriving, she is inside and is doing okayish.
my others are outside in the heated shed at present but have slowed down, they are 08 hatchlings, so i was thinking of the end of dec-end march to go to sleep, is this right , is it enough time?
please advice xxx

[-EJ]

Weed, grass, dope, pot, Mary Jane, smoke... I'm not allowed to because I get tested on a regular basis but if I could I would...

Originally Posted by naomij

thank you, what is hemp? does everyone use this?

do you polysterine the outside of the shoe box? where do you buy that from also lol, i just have a shoe box lol

[purplepixie]

Hemp is horse bedding, sometimes used by tortoise keepers. Not advised for younger tortoises, as it comes with sharp pointed bits, which can cause eye damage or if swallowed can choke tortoises.

[-EJ]

Have you ever used it or have experience with it?

I use it specificly with my younger tortoises... quite successfully.

Originally Posted by purplepixie

Hemp is horse bedding, sometimes used by tortoise keepers. Not advised for younger tortoises, as it comes with sharp pointed bits, which can cause eye damage or if swallowed can choke tortoises.

[annsimpson1]

just box your tort in the bedding that it would usually have, it won't get upset over any change then, any box/container with a lid and air holes is fine as you don't need to worry about predators etc. I usually put mine in when they are already asleep, ie first thing in the morning or evening and simply bury them and they shouldn't wake up.

[daysleeper1985]

I was wondering about this whole wee thing, because if I just use Whistle's normal substrate of topsoil how could I tell if she had weed?