Originally Posted by -EJ

If you hibernate your tortoise it would be because you are not providing optimal conditions for the tortoise to survive.

Originally Posted by Katiexx

That sounds like info that's been passed around n misinterpretted each time..sort of like chinese whispers. Some breeders 'cool' their torts off in preparation for breeding.. the same is done with many snakes and lizards in order to stimulate the breeding response..suppose it replicate changing seasons? Tbh i'm really not sure as i've no intention of breeding any of my animals for many years, but will certainly continue reading around the subject.


In regards to hibernation being scary..the first time I admit i was petrified, so worried, n i still check on them probably more than I should. But providing you have healthy torts to start with and ensure that their guts are completely empty of any food waste,that they are well hydrated going into hibernation..you should have little problems. Have you read T.Ts thread in regards to the hibernation of his special little guy, if that tort can do it, most others can If I can hibernate this special tort...then...

Originally Posted by Katiexx

....you really baffle me sometimes ed....i'm sure you say some things to deliberately get peoples backs up.


or just maybe it could be because you try to replicate wild living conditions as closely as possible. or for some keepers because their torts are outside most of the year, and thus wind themselves down...that hardly means they aren't providing 'optimal conditions for the tortoise to survive' i'd hazard a guess and say they're a lot happier and healthier than most torts kept indoors

Originally Posted by Katiexx

No I don't hibernate my russians for 9 months. Over here our winters aren't particularly long..even if it does feel like it with a broken boiler... so I see no point in keeping them in a forced state of hibernation late into our spring or summer, to stick to that. When they could be outside enjoying the summer. They are however hibernated, to keep in-line with what would occur in the wild. Most species of tortoise rarely hibernates solidly for more than 12ish weeks in the wild, that I will admit to, But I was told in harsher regions this was where the longer hibernation periods were observed, again just going off what I was told, it could be wrong. In regards to the contact I found her via the tortoise trust...and would wish to get her permission before handing her name over..especially considering your adoration and worship of the tortoise trust..

Anyways, the idea behind the hibernation was that in the wild they wouldn't be awake for more than half a year, so hibernation helps to replicate the wild and stops overfeeding which is a problem in many captive torts. Yes this could be a factor of many things, humidity,temps,diet,enclosure etc etc however i always like to air on the side of caution. Also if you are breeding,although not essential it is recommended to help things along...

As i've said before each to their own, and I won't preach and say i'm right your wrong...this is just going off research and information i've been given or gathered and is how MY torts are treated(not sayin anyone else has to do the same)..and they are thriving. If at any point this changed I would re-evaluate the methods I use. And try to pinpoint what was causing any problems.

In regards to certain species being better off indoors, that all depends on where you live...in britain or certain states in the USA yes the more delicate species would stand a much better chance indoors, however in other countries that wouldn't necessarily be the case. No species was developed in captivity, all have a wild range somewhere.

Also as for 'misguided' information, I have to say I trust the tortoise trust and WCT.

Originally Posted by Katiexx

now now lets not be anal shall we. I don't bend it to fit MY circumstance..i could hibernate them for much longer, but they wouldn't see the late british spring or summer. so it's hardly fair on them is it? Don't the majority of your tortoises live outside? Also If i was to hibernate them based on my circumstances, at the moment everything family,health,home wise has gone for lack of a better word tits up..so if i was doing it for my own means they'd be in hibernation longer than normal just to try n sort everything else out..but i'm not doing that.

And i didn't say that I hibernated mine for 9 months nor that either organisation said they are active for 3 months, I said that discussing it with a few people that it had been brought up and mentioned. And that one lady had done some research in the field

Also by looking at information from both groups hibernation is recommended for hibernating species..so as far as I can see i'm sticking to what they have said.

You know ed you really need to work on your people skills. As soon as someone has a difference of opinion you jump on them like some sort of rabid dog.

Don't they say variety is the spice of life?