is it ok to hibernate a tortoise that hasnt been hibernated for the first 6 years of its life?

Answer 1

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

This is an absolutely amazing website on hibernating a tortise

Ally

Answer 2

I had a desert tortoise that was used to hibernating and no matter what I wanted he had a mind of his own and went to sleep for the winter anyway. Last year he was taken away from me and not allowed to hibernate correctly. When I got him back he was very sick and now he is dead. It is stressful for them which causes them to lose the body fluids needed. Let nature take it's course, read all you can and listen to experts. I found a great website that showed exactly how to make the perfect safe burrow for a tortoise, but I never had a chance to even build it. As much as I did know about him it wasn't enough. I won't get another pet until I've got all my bases covered next time. I am heart broken and he suffered. It is the same with humans. Lack of sleep ages a person quick and causes mental illness as well as many other health problems.

Answer 3

my tortoise is 4 this year i got last summer and was advised not to hibernate her as i wasnt sure on what to do etc i since made enquiries about hibernating in general and its fine for a tortoise not to hibernate i only should hibernate her if i want to breed her which i dont so i think ill leave mine and just do what i did this yr and make sure she was warm enough in her tortoise house,she lives in a tortoise box in my room she went to sleep herself and i chcked on her every day and shes started to come round slowly now over the last few weeks .

Answer 4

It would be ok as long as you do it right. Many tortoises die in hibernation as people do it wrong. You won't need to hibinate it till next winter. Now's the time they'll be coming out of hibernation.
I haven't hibernated mine for over 10 yrs. She does fine in her vivarium.

Answer 5

My Mum has had a Herman Tortoise for 30 yrs. He (who is attually a she but is called Tomhas!) Mum has never Hibernated him as, he will just fall asleep at his own free will and it has always worked just fine. Mum does however always make sure he has his vitimins shots at the right times. I hope this helps. He also lives in the house and only plays out on nice summer days.

Answer 6

Depending on your species, it should be fine so long as it is fit enough to hibernate and your captive husbandry is up to par to identify and handle issues that come up.

Hibernation is not cozy sleep, it is a time of minimal life support and conditions must be correct. But with reptiles that applies all the time. I'm afraid most of the time that the average person doesn't know enough to keep a reptile alive and in good health.

But while many people claim they have kept their turtles and torts for years without hibernation, you really should not do that if you have the ability to learn about the animal and provide the appropriate environment to do so at some point. 10 years with a turtle or tort is not really significant for these people to cite that experience as evidence that it's ok to not hibernate. Most tortoises have not long been adults by that time. You have to consider that a box turtle in the wild can possibly live up to 80 years or so, and many tortoises live up to 100 or more.

Yes, they can be kept up year round without hibernation, but at a cost, most often. For species of reptile that hibernate in nature, the hibernation cycle is important for the reptile to set it's metabolic/biological clock to. As they sense the approach of winter, activity levels and UV exposure will be adapted to minimize energy expenditure and maximize UV intake, meal preferences will change with changing available food items and to maximize for fat storage, hydration stores become more important, the body cleanses itself for the hibernation state, and sets up optimal conditions to emerge in the spring strong and fertile for mating season among other things.

This is a natural instinctual event for many reptiles. It is part of their life cycle which has much to do with their health and longevity. Not allowing them to do what is natural can place undue stress on them. Yes, hibernation is not just a matter of putting them in a box in the fridge, or in the compost pile. It takes some knowledge. Some reptiles that are not fully prepared by their keepers, or unhealthy, do die in hibernation. But this doesn't happen often with people who do their research, and the benefits outweigh the risks most times.

Without hibernation you can expect the average captive reptile to have a shorter lifespan by several years. Consider it additional ageing stress if you will, the longer the reptile is kept up and running without a "reboot". Hibernation need not be for extended or concrete periods either. You can allow for an abbreviated hibernation of 6 weeks or so that will give some benefits while you gain experience.

www.tortoisetrust.org is a great site, along with www.anapsid.org/mainchelonian.

with hibernation, it's all about fat reserves, hydration, cool enough temps, proper humidity, clean bowels, and general good health.

Answer 7

Yes but they don't need to hibernate.

It's fine to keep them in a warm viv all winter.

Answer 8

I should think so. Poor thing is probably knackered by now and looking forward to a long nap.

Answer 9

i would imagine so