He's been in the loft since haloween - what do I do?
2006-12-02 07:47:45 · 9 answers · asked by noddy194 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
maybe a loft isn't the best place to put him ? i've had a tortoise for about 20 years (called Freda !), and i've always been lead to believe that tortoise's need the temperature to be quite cool, which is what triggers them to hibernate in the first place. if your loft is like mine, it won't be that cold. lofts tend to be insulated, and the heat rising from the house gathers in the loft.... we always keep Freda in a cardboard box, then put the cardboard box in an old tea chest, stuffed with newspaper. the box is then put in the garage (but a garden shed would be just as good). we've never had any problems with Freda waking up early using that method. (it's also the method that was recommended on Blue Peter - if u are from the UK, you'll know what i mean !) try letting your tortoise outside during the warmer parts of the day, offer it some food, and wait to see if it shows signs of wanting to hibernate again. if he doesn't, then u might have to bring him indoors over winter, and let him stay awake til next winter.......... good luck. hope this helps.
2006-12-02 08:07:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a tarpin tortoise from Oklahoma that was in deep hibernation on the glassed in porch of our farm house in Michigan. Several sunny days warmed up the porch sufficiently enough to 'wake' him up and he flipped himself over and died. Researching this dilemma after the fact I learned you can slowly cool the tortoise back down and they'll go back into hibernation or...enjoy having the little guy clomping around in his tank all spring and summer until next fall. If your tortoise hasn't had much of an appetite I wouldn't risk hibernation.
2006-12-02 16:00:33 · answer #2 · answered by Marsea 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't let him hibernate. He needs a UV light on for at least 12 hours and a warm, humid cage.
He doesn't need to hibernate. It's better if he doesn't. If the temperature and conditions aren't perfect, the turtle can die.
2006-12-02 15:54:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just leave him to go back to sleep. Don't feed him cos when he does go back into hibernation if theres any food left in his gut it'll rot.
2006-12-04 09:50:16 · answer #4 · answered by fizzy_wolf 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
treat as you would in the spring, offer food/water and keep indoors. Ours has a habit of waking up for Christmas most years! Just doesn't like to be left out!!
2006-12-02 15:50:31 · answer #5 · answered by mrs_empo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mine is still awake, but she's not eating, it's still a bit warm at times at the moment. so it must be to do with the mild weather
2006-12-02 17:30:39 · answer #6 · answered by sophie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave him in his box. He will naturally go back to sleep....unless your loft is heated in which case he will never properly hibernate.
Check with your vet.
2006-12-02 15:50:55 · answer #7 · answered by alan h 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just feed him,then let him get back to sleep =)
2006-12-02 16:51:58 · answer #8 · answered by Lindsey 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No
2006-12-02 16:05:30 · answer #9 · answered by Gilliber 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋