7yr Old Hermann 1st Hibernation

[Alfietortoise]

I did not hibernate Alfie last winter as I had only just been given him and was a new keeper of torts.

I am planning to hibernate this winter.
I know he has never hibernated before and is 2002 on his cert.

Are there likely to be any issues or considerations for his (& my!) first time or is it just an automiatic reation if he is wounded down suitably with food/temps/light etc?

Advice/thoughts appreciated.

[annsimpson1]

you need to wind him down over a period of 4 weeks, thats 4 weeks with no food but still baths and heat/light. The heat/light is gradually reduced untill there isn't any at the end of the period, by then if he's in a cold enough room, no heat, then he'll be more or less asleep, the baths will be short and cooler and he should be ready to go into his hibernation box. I prefer to box them up when they are already in bed then hopefully they don't wake again, your fridge/cold place should all be ready with the bedding to be used also cold, once he's in his place then its just a case of daily checks (air exchange for fridge) checking that he's settled/ hasn't wee'd and weighing him when you feel suitable, he shouldn't loose much in hibernation but will loose weight during the 4 weeks. Most of the weight loss is just the food going out of his system it can take 4 weeks for him to totally empty himself of waste but he needs to be full of water hence the baths. You can weigh before you start and just before he's boxed up then at regular intervals during the hinbernation, if all's going well then just let him carry on untill you want to wake him, it can be anything up to 20 weeks if everything is ok.

[Alfietortoise]

Thanks very much Ann for your comprehensive response & assistance.

[annsimpson1]

if you have a bit of time before you wish to start your 4 week wind down then you can gradually reduce the food rather than stop it suddenly, as long as you have 4 weeks without, 3 weeks for smaller/young torts, all of my torts are outside they have heat/light in their houses and outside access. I stopped giving them extra food but they can still come out if they want, there is food growing but they are choosing not to eat by themselves, the weather has gotten colder and its obviously enough of a trigger to start them winding down. All I have to do is gradually reduce the time the combined bulbs are on, they still have their night heaters, they will be in their 3rd week from monday so will only have the lights on in the mornings and the last week no light at all, they are already choosing not to come out much and simply sit under the light or sleep, I'll box them up at the end of the month. They've lost some weight but are still heavier than the begining of the year and the weight loss is slowing down

[Alfietortoise]

Thanks once again.

What type of scales do you use to monitor weight during hibernation?
Digital?
What is considered acceptable/unacceptable loss?

[purplepixie]

Great hibernation instructions on www.thetortoisehouse.com and www.tortoises.net

[annsimpson1]

I use digital they came from Aldi and were about £6 and they're very good, as for weight loss etc I weigh mine a couple of times a year and thats all, I know what they are when they come out from hibernation in the spring and as long as they've gained weight over the summer and weigh more than the spring weight after winding down I take that as ok. With my hatchling though he's weighed more frequently, monthly as his weight gain is more important, sorry I can't remember what the accepted loss is during wind down but once you get into the habit of knowing your torts weight and how he feels when you pick him up you seem to know whats ok. Mine are all outside, not including the hatchling, so always put on weight in the summer as they have plenty to eat but my adults always go back to about the same weight after hibernation I think they are at their max size, they might gain quite a bit but never go below what I feel is their normal weight ( before and after hibernation). They shouldn't loose more than a couple of grams when asleep if the temps and conditions are ok as all the loss is during the wind down and that is just any food in the system not body fat.