My russian tortoise isn't hibernating?

Question

is this bad and what do i do about it?

Answer 1

I dont know this animal in particular, but with most animals in general.. It is the temp change that triggers hibernation. If the tortoise is living inside and not experiencing the temp change, hibernation might not be triggered.

I dont know if this is bad or not.

Try a google and wiki search on the species

Answer 2

Most captive animals that hibernate don't do so because they're kept indoors where the temperature is relatively constant year-round. I mean, you wouldn't let the inside of your house drop to 30 degrees or whatever it is outside that triggers winter hibernation, so the tortoise is probably a little seasonally confused.

Of course most homes do get a little cooler and so for some reason my turtles eat less during the winter but never hibernate, but turtles kept outdoors will stop eating and hibernate. It's probably better that you don't let him do so because I've read that lots of turtles never come out of their hibernation because they're not properly prepared for it the way natural ones are.

Answer 3

Hibernating Russians is fairly easy- but conditions have to be right. In the typical home, the lighting and temp triggers are simply not happening.

I would recommend not hibernating it this year. Let it think it is summer all year long, them study up on it and get ready to hibernate it next year.

http://www.tortoisetrust.org and http://www.russiantortoise.org are good sites.

Answer 4

This has been a pretty debated topic. I'm under the one that falls this way - not allowing your Russian to hibernate "could" cause some harm. It is suggested by many people - hobbyists and experts alike - that you provide a "natural" hibernation period for good physical, physiological and psychological health...:-)

Here's a link that can provide more info on how to do this right...:-)
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/safer.html

Answer 5

Unless your wanting to breed in the spring then hibernation is not necessary especially in young tortoise's, but if you really want it to hibernate then lower the temps in its habitat.

Answer 6

Tortoises hibernate interior the wintry climate, while temperatures drop. My 2 3 year old Russian Tortoises each and every so often sleep for days at a time in this summer. i think of it fairly is because of the fact we use our cooler plenty. experience reptiles are chilly-blooded their blood differences with the tempertures around them. whether it fairly is chilly, they are going to be sluggish, lazy and sleep many of the time. whether it fairly is warm and humid, they are going to be lively and curious. There you pass.:)

Answer 7

thats cause she is not a bear:)