Hibernation tips from our exotic vet, Calum
As temperatures start to drop, and nights get longer you may start to consider hibernating your tortoise but there are a few important things to consider first.
Firstly, is your tortoise a species that will hibernate? Not all tortoises hibernate and it's important not to hibernate a species that wouldn't naturally in the wild. Most temperate climate tortoises such as Horsefield's and Hermanns will hibernate naturally in the wild and as such can benefit from this as pets as well.
Contact our vet Calum for advice if you are not sure
Benefits to hibernating your tortoise include:
· Encouraging a normal reproductive cycle
· Supports natural growth and development
· Reinforcement of immune system
In the pre-hibernation period, you will notice your tortoise start to naturally slow down as they prepare themselves for hibernation. During this time, it's important to make sure you have everything in place for them to have a good, safe hibernation. At Apex we recommend pre-hibernation vet checks to make sure that your shelled friend is healthy, and we can discuss the stages of hibernation to make sure everything goes smoothly.
What your vet will look for on the pre-hibernation check:
· Physical exam to check for any abnormalities such as a soft shell, watery eye or nose and other signs of illness
· Weight check to make sure your tortoise has been gaining weight throughout the year and is at a safe, healthy weight to hibernate
· Faecal samples can also be recommended to check for parasites and bacteria that can make hibernating your tortoise more risky
· Blood samples may also be recommended to rule out underlying disease that could be made worse by hibernating
There are multiple ways to hibernate your tortoise, and each way will suit different owners and different tortoises so the best thing to do would be to discuss this with your vet at the pre-hibernation appointment.
During hibernation it is important to keep everything consistent. Especially the temperature which should be around 5°C for the hibernation period. Any lower than this and your pet's eyesight could be affected at best, and at worst they may sadly pass away. If kept too warm during hibernation, then they can become active and use up fat stores which can lead to problems with their liver, and if this is not noticed they could starve.
Your tortoise's weight will also drop during hibernation and generally around a 1% drop per month from their pre-hibernation weight is normal. However, if they lose between 8-10% this could indicate there is an issue, and you should bring them out of hibernation immediately ad seek vet advice.
The decision to hibernate your tortoise is up to you and we've highlighted some of the steps here. If you have any questions regarding hibernation or are looking to get your tortoise checked over, please get in touch with Apex vets to see one of our exotic vets.