what happens if you dont hibernate you tort what affect does it have on them?

There is no effect for not hibernating tortoises which naturally hibernate.

In nature conditions fall below suboptimal levels. Some animals have developed an adaptation to survive these unfavorable conditions.

If conditions are not unfavorable... they don't hibernate... and there is now ill effect.

Ed

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Ed @ not allowed to post a link
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

so do i have to hibernate my horsefield ?

You do not have to hibernate your Russian if you do not want to.

Ed

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Ed @ not allowed to post a link
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

thanks ed

I'm sure you'll get more opinions.

Ed

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Ed @ not allowed to post a link
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

thats an understatement
terry

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these are my own opinions do with them what you will


http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/

as most people will know i dont keep any hibernating tortoises. but the general opinion seems to be that people without much experience dont hibernate their tortoise for the first year or two. it is after all a dangerous practice ifnot done correctly. but once the tortoise reaches breeding age, a proper controlled hibernation helps to set up the tortoise for breeding season. its said that it increases the males sperm and the females ova count (apparently).

although i dont keep any "true" hibernating tortoises, all of my reps have a cooling period during the winter. As i have brought to the groups attention before, i think that certain animals timpanic scales/ear organs are responsible for them being very susceptible to changes in atmospheric pressure. so in the winter, even simulating perfect weather conditions with a lamp and uvb may not be enough to stop an animal feeling the saesons effects. so in my opinion, a hibernation or "winding down/cooling period" is often kinder to the tortoise as they automatically slow down as a result of changing seasons.

my bearded dragons have a reduced photoperiod from mid october to february, as do my royals ( even though they are nocturnal). i also reduce the temperatures by atleast 3c and raise them back to normal over a three month period. both species of reptile need this drop in order to breed. so i dont see why torts should beany different. you can NOT hibernate them, but some, especially horsefields, will make there own plans!

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The goat made me remember!! all hail the mighty goat

if they hibernate in the wild they should really hibernate in captivity its the way they are designed

They only hibernate in the wild when temperatures drop below optimum levels for survival. If we believe the doom merchants who are predicting increased temperatures over the next few years then it could be that in some areas, the wild tortoise population ceases to hibernate naturally, we are then left with the dilemma of letting nature take its course or supplying fridges that they can jump into when the mood takes them.