How should I hibernate my Russian Torts in my home? Outside is too dangerous, any suggestions?

Question

How should I hibernate my
Russian Torts in my home?
Outside is too dangerous, any
suggestions?

I was thinking about hibernating all of my torts this december and waking them up in februrary. This should be long enough right? I was wondering how I could get them to hibernate safely. Could I lower the temps in their room? And then when they are hibernating, but them in a temp regulated fridge? I would be placing boxes of dirt in their pen so they dig into there, and then placing the boxes in the fridge... Would this work? I need to know, so I can get everything ready. i know its early, but still.

I know they need to hibernate to stimulate breeding. THAT IS WHY I WANT TO DO THIS!

I realize they dont absolutely need to hibernate in captivity. I want to start a captive breeding program, so I have to hibernate them.

Answer 1

Try these articles:

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/safer.html

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/Refrigerator.htm

Heck, just go here and scroll down to hibernation ideas:
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/articles.html

Answer 2

Kindly read this website and consult your vet before acting on their hibernation. Some pets do not hibernate when in captivity, if their hibernation periods are just short.

http://www.turtlerescues.com/russian_tortoise_care.htm

Answer 3

I can just tell my experience. I have had my very happy and healthy RT for 7 years and he never has hibernated. In the wild, they have to.