Norris is 1 1/2 and up until now has eaten well and stayed pretty active. This is our first Winter with him.
Since the weather has started getting colder - he is way less active, only moving about for a small time, eating less. Only more active when we have just bathed him. (Our central heating is not on yet - could this make any difference?)
Should we just go with it and let him wind down naturally as this seems to be what he is doing? We weren't going to hibernate him this year and have planted lots of weeds in indoor troughs so he has plenty of food, but he seems to want to sleep lots and has other ideas!
If this is his natural instinct kicking in it is great and we will follow it - what do you think? Any advice would be great as we are keen to do the right thing.
Hi Julie, I would try and up his temps keeping going a bit longer if you can Nov would be good. Try putting his lights on a bit earlier and turning them off a bit later. Just see how he goes.
(09-30-2009 10:51 PM)sky Wrote: [ -> ]Hi Julie, I would try and up his temps keeping going a bit longer if you can Nov would be good. Try putting his lights on a bit earlier and turning them off a bit later. Just see how he goes.
Thanks Kay, we will give it a go.
As very nervous newbies to tortoise keeping, any ideas where we can get a suitable mini fridge to hibernate Norris? We also need to get a min/max temperature guage or two I think!
Norris wanting to hibernate has turned our plans topsy-turvy but we are glad he is getting all the right urges!
Hi Julie. Like Kay says it's a bit early yet. With my babies i am starting to wind them down at the end of november. I am only going to hibernate them for about 3 weeks this year with them being so small. Julie if you are unsure about hibernating him, wait and do it next year. You will find at this time of year they do slow down a bit.
(10-02-2009 12:35 AM)TICKANDTOCK Wrote: [ -> ]Hi Julie. Like Kay says it's a bit early yet. With my babies i am starting to wind them down at the end of november. I am only going to hibernate them for about 3 weeks this year with them being so small. Julie if you are unsure about hibernating him, wait and do it next year. You will find at this time of year they do slow down a bit.
Hi Paulette
We were planning to not hibernate him as he is so small and we are so inexperienced as yet. We were just worried that not hibernating him would be unhealthy for him.
As long as it won't harm him we will keep him awake and give him lots of love!
Thanks for replying!
Hi Julie. He will be ok it won't harm him. Everyone as different views on hibernation. Some people leave it 3-5 years before they hibernate theirs. Some people do it the first year. It's what you feel comfortable doing. Just remember he will slow down but don't worry.
Hi JulieND,
Well,With My wife cares small baby as she is starting to wind her down at the end of December. I am only going to hibernate them for about 3 weeks this year with them being so small.I want to know the suggestion from others.
Thanks
I didn't hibernate my the 1st year I had them, just got to know them better. Personally I would not bother just for 3 weeks and would try for 8weeks for the 1st time.