Hibernation
RUNNING YOUR TORTOISE DOWN IN AUTUMN
At the end of the summer, the basking lamp should be turned off gradually and, for a period of between 3 and 4 weeks, the tortoise should be kept in an air temperature cold enough to stop his appetite but warm enough so that he continues to pass urine and faeces (about 15°C). It is very important during this period that the tortoise should not become dehydrated, so soak the tortoise two or three times a week in a bowl of warm water. During this period, also cut down the hours that the tortoise has under his light. For the last 3-4 days before hibernation, keep him in a temperature of 10
°-12° (a cool room or garage. The tortoise should then be hibernated.In the tortoises' natural habitat, the winter temperatures are appreciably colder than English winter temperatures. The soil surface temperature goes down to 0°C or below but at depth remains at about 5°C. The tortoises dig down to where the temperature is 5°/6°C. They then change the way they operate their bodies. We call this hibernation. There are several ways to arrange hibernation in England, but the key is that you must enable the tortoise to get its body temperature down to 5°/6°C. If the temperature is accurate the tortoise will remain still and all will be well. If the temperature is either too low or too high the tortoise will dig, using body fats for energy. If this goes on too long or happens too often, the tortoise may die or Anorexia will result in the spring.
Body temperatures below freezing will cause death. Temperatures around freezing will cause blindness. Temperatures 1°C to 3°C and 8°C to 12°C may cause Anorexia.
FRIDGE HIBERNATION
While you are running your tortoise down switch on your fridge. Plug it into a timer and then into a socket. Set the timer so that you fridge is on for 1 hour and off for 3. (This will still enable you to get the temperature to 5 degrees, but will act as a check to make sure that it doesn't get too cold, should the thermostat fail in your fridge.
While you are getting your fridge to the correct temperature, put the box filled with newspaper, in which you will hibernate your tortoise into the fridge, as the temperature changes between an empty and a full fridge.
When your tortoise is ready to hibernate, and your fridge, with its timer in place, is set at 5 degrees, place the tortoise in a box of shredded paper and place it in the fridge. Keep a thermometer next to the box and open the fridge each morning to check the temperature. This will let in enough air for the tortoise.
GETTING YOUR TORTOISE UP IN SPRING
Around about the beginning to the middle of March, when you are ready to get your tortoise up, take him, still in his box, into the house. Leave the box in a corner of the living room and let him gradually come to room temperature. After 12-15 hours, put him under his lamp. Leave him there to bask, and after another 3-4 hours, give him a long soak in a nice warm bath. Try to tempt him with some food. He should eat within 48 hours.
IMPORTANT
DO NOT TAKE YOUR TORTOISE OUT OF THE FRIDGE AND PUT HIM STRAIGHT UNDER THE LAMP. THIS CAN BE FATAL!