hermann depressed??

[jonna]

hi

i have a baby herman (about a year old) he is obviously too young to hibernate but he definately seems to be eating less and less active. Is that normal? Do young tortoises slow down a bit at this time of year even though they are not getting ready to hibernate.

Any advice opinions apprieciated

jonna

[purplepixie]

Your tortoise is not too young to hibernate.
What do you think happens to young tortoises in the wild, yep they hibernate.

[jonna]

thats contrary to other advice i have read, it said they were to little to withstand the rigours of hibernation and it could kill them.

now im really confused

jonna

[elle_crystal]

no you shouldn't hybernate your tortoise really. if you do want to its better to seek perfessional help as they can actually die in hybernation, personally i won't be hybernating mine although they have been getting less active as it gets colder.

have you got a basking light in place (and a UV)
perhaps putting this on more often (12-14 hours a day is preffered) would convince them it's summer. it should be off at night though so they sleep.

what are you feeding them? any calcium subtrate? as they need this.

and they need bathing, daily preferably, in a shallow bowl. my female loves bath time but my lil male would run a mile if he were fast enough so i've found that he prefers it if i make the water warm-ish first bless him.

wish you luck. x

[elle_crystal]

also maybe this shouldn't be posted on the picture section, not being rude i just thinking of you and ur torts because you might get more help on the other shelled forums as this one is for pics. x

[Mrs Mental]

Hi ya - would be better to post in the normal shelled section as you'll get more replies lovey. This bit is usually used just for pictures/photos.

If the tortoise is healthy and the correct weight there is no reason why it shouldn't be hibernated even at 1 year old. I am presuming it is a hibernating species of course.

The only reason why accidents or fatalities happen during hibernation is if the tortoise wasn't 100% healthy to start with, if its way underweight or if the method of hibernating is not followed correctly, ie human error.

If you have a look at the Tortoise Trust website and/or www.thetortoisehouse.co.uk both these sites ahve step by step guides to hibernating safely and correctly.

If you dont wish to hibernate for this year because you dont have enough self confidence that is fine - do your homework and research and Im sure during the next 12 months your confidence will grow and next year you'll be happy to hibernate your little guy. It is more natural and will help keep them healthy inthe long run. I never hibernated my lot in the first year cos I couldnt bring myself to do it but last year I did and it went fine. Like I say learn all you can and Im sure you'll feel happier about it in time.

You'll need to keep the temps up, lights & UV on for 12 hours a day and make sure you have enough fresh weeds to last through the winter If you have a read through the 'safe plants to feed guide' which is a sticky at the top of the page Im sure you'll find lots of feeding suggestions to help overwinter your chappy

[Mrs Mental]

Originally Posted by elle_crystal

no you shouldn't hybernate your tortoise really. if you do want to its better to seek perfessional help as they can actually die in hybernation, personally i won't be hybernating mine although they have been getting less active as it gets colder.

have you got a basking light in place (and a UV)
perhaps putting this on more often (12-14 hours a day is preffered) would convince them it's summer. it should be off at night though so they sleep.

what are you feeding them? any calcium subtrate? as they need this.

and they need bathing, daily preferably, in a shallow bowl. my female loves bath time but my lil male would run a mile if he were fast enough so i've found that he prefers it if i make the water warm-ish first bless him.

wish you luck. x

Please dont take offence but I think you need to have a read up on hibernation. Have mentioned a couple of very good step by step guides on websites if you have a look Im sure it'll put your mind at ease.

With regards to the bathing, baths should be warmish water - if you're bathing in cold water you'll bring the temperature of the tortoise down lovey so warm it up a bit for them and if they're in for a while take a bit out and add in some more warm for them.

Hope that helps

[elle_crystal]

Originally Posted by Mrs Mental

Please dont take offence but I think you need to have a read up on hibernation. Have mentioned a couple of very good step by step guides on websites if you have a look Im sure it'll put your mind at ease.

With regards to the bathing, baths should be warmish water - if you're bathing in cold water you'll bring the temperature of the tortoise down lovey so warm it up a bit for them and if they're in for a while take a bit out and add in some more warm for them.

Hope that helps

oh yes i already know that hun, i always bathe them in warm water just forgot to say thanks anyways though. x

[Mrs Mental]

Originally Posted by elle_crystal

and they need bathing, daily preferably, in a shallow bowl. my female loves bath time but my lil male would run a mile if he were fast enough so i've found that he prefers it if i make the water warm-ish first bless him.

wish you luck. x

Originally Posted by elle_crystal

oh yes i already know that hun, i always bathe them in warm water just forgot to say thanks anyways though. x

Ahhh sorry lovey - I read the first quote as you were using cold water and then gave him a bit of warm cos he never liked it cold, sorry bout that!!