It lets them know when the seasons are changing. big release right before they dig into the burrow. have developed over millions of years. But since we’re With warmer weather comes better food, more water, and more warmth. This is because the colder conditions are not as suitable for him, so he goes into hibernation to conserve his energy and survive longer. Before beginning hibernation, tortoises should be kept in an ambient temperature of 13C to make sure that their food is properly digested. The other vital piece of the puzzle is ensuring that the ambient temperature of the room you intend to keep the fridge in remains constant. link to How Much Does a Tortoise Cost to Own. Hibernation for tortoises isn’t the same as other animals, Many reptile owners have mini panic attacks when it comes to Depending on the environment some sleep with their legs extended while others sleep with the legs retracted in the shell. For the captive tortoise, however, this to drop, but well before it’s too cold to move about. However if you’re not confident for any reason, keeping your tortoise awake all year round until the age of about 3 is okay, but you’ll certainly want to hibernate them the following year. creatures in another way. They would also prefer to sleep in some form of shelter, for example underneath a piece of driftwood. The best estimate we can give is between October and April. The Jackson Ratio requires the length of the shell from end to end (known as the straight carapace length). Older tortoises can be hibernated safely providing they are of good weight, are generally healthy, and have shown no signs of respiratory problems. Water Turtles. torts. best for their own bodies. due to predators, humans, or strange weather patterns and bad luck, sometimes things But for those that do, hibernation is a way for them to reset their bodies. Arthur Hi Arthur, In central Florida and areas south, gopher tortoises spend more time in their burrows during the winter. This is an amazing survival adaptation that wild tortoises and without warning. They survive on their fat stores which they build up as much as possible by binge eating at the end of summers. hibernation due to the health issues that accompany obesity. While this isn’t seen Depending on the environment some sleep with their legs extended while others sleep with the legs retracted in the shell. Any tortoise that has died I would strongly recommend that you wait at least two days to dispose of them. In those cases, tortoises need to think fast and dig even provide all of this information to you. cover this topic in detail, it’s still up to you to find specific information The tortoise had been fine up until yesterday when it started opening its mouth wide and burrowing into the grass in its house. There is the standard hibernation, However, since bodily functions slow down and body I own a 3 year old Hermann's Tortoise called Terry. Although this doesn’t sound like a problem, it can actually lead to health problems such as metabolic bone disease, symptoms of which can be a soft or deformed shell that doesn’t grow quickly enough compared to the rest of the tortoise. Turtles who are dead generally get stiff between 3 and 12 hours after death, but then they loosen back up after a day or two. In the UK, tortoises use similar cues to regulate their hibernation period and due to our colder climate can often hibernate for up to 6-7 months. Tortoises don't breathe through their mouth. Human intervention with wild tortoises ends up in tragedy, more often than not. Again, it’s best not to interfere. With the tortoise’s head retracted you should then be able to mark off the position of the front edge of the shell on the piece of paper. Since tortoises are territorial, chances are good he good sleep. Choosing a brumation location too close to a water source is weather starts to cool off. but wild torts are surprisingly sensitive creatures. Hibernation Panic - posted in Hibernation: Hello all. Whilst there are a couple of different weight and size ratio charts to compare your tortoise to; chief of which is the Jackson Ratio, it’s important to remember these charts should only be used as a guide, ultimately you’ll need to use your best judgement alongside the data they provide. really large—this should help smaller torts who may accidentally fall in. Their fridge maintained a temperature of 40+/-2*F all winter long, and I misted their hibernaculum at least once per week. It is what they evolved to do, so humans should not Many turtles and tortoises die because owners hibernate them with undigested food still in their digestive tract. Since tortoises hibernate to make it through cold and harsh The white stuff doesn't seem to be coming off of the eye opening. I’ve unfortunately known several people to lose a tortoise this way, so I know first hand that it’s not a good idea.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'tortoiseexpert_com-leader-2','ezslot_12',117,'0','0'])); In any case you should actually use a container within a container, such that any insulating material doesn’t actually come into contact with the tortoise at all. I have 4 week old tortoises and they are well taken care of. that’s all a sick tort needs to feel better. gets too cold outside for them to move around. tortoise. The key is placing whatever container you plan to house the tortoise in, in a relatively stable environment such as a garage or shed. burrows deep enough to escape the frost. tortoises to wake up, be patient. They may defecate and urinate much more frequently in the I spray his substrate everyday. The lid will need to have several air holes in it. Sub Zero Temperatures. a sluggish digestive tract. No they do not hibernate with their eyes open. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'tortoiseexpert_com-banner-1','ezslot_2',109,'0','0'])); The approximate duration of hibernation according to the age of your tortoise should be: 2nd year – 6 weekseval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'tortoiseexpert_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',110,'0','0'])); 5th year onwards – 22 weekseval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'tortoiseexpert_com-leader-1','ezslot_8',111,'0','0'])); Generally speaking tortoises in the wild will ‘wind down’ for winter when the nights grow longer in around late October and Early November. In fact, So when their nose is plugged up, they don't breathe. The first thing tortoises really need to do on emerging from their hibernation is to drink. Irregular hibernation will adversely affect the tortoise’s health and lifespan. Undigested food kills hibernating pets in 2 ways. when wild tortoises will begin hibernating. don’t hibernate and the whole process seems a bit bizarre to us. Gopher tortoises need relatively deep, sandy, soils in which to burrow and open sunny sites for nesting. I tried to rinse it with water, but the film did not go away. Here they’ll get a much needed dose of UV light as well as continued heat. We know it’s difficult to just walk away from a tiny tank in need, Schweigger’s hinge-back), but the following care sheet provides a basic summary of their needs. brumation. Their fridge maintained a temperature of 40+/-2*F all winter long, and I misted their hibernaculum at least once per week. Additionally, unhealthy turtles should not hibernate. is basically a long, deep sleep to help an animal survive harsh winter But what exactly is the calcium source best suited to tortoises and why? Not only will they naturally be somewhat dehydrated, but due to the accumulation of toxins during hibernation the kidneys need a throughput of fluid in order to 'flush' these away. Along with their reputation for being slow and nervous, tortoises are well known for their natural need to hibernate (also known as brumation) during the winter months. These black and white striped creatures do not hibernate fully but generally remain inactive during winters. Make sure there is no swelling or other unusual signs. If you When the weather cools down or food becomes scarce, a turtle's metabolism slows down and they will go off looking for a convenient den. As soon as this happens you’ll need to cease providing further food for a further two weeks if the tortoise is under 3 years old, and a further month if they are over 3 years old. Understanding how wild tortoises hibernate is the best way to prepare yourself for owning a pet tortoise. Favorite Answer. Of course, just like their reputation for being slow, this is a stereotypical and naive viewpoint, because whilst many tortoises do hibernate, there are several species that don’t. Intervention by well-meaning humans has killed more When a tortoise goes into aestivation, it’s not because it’s steadily decrease as his body temperature decreases. authorities to handle any situations that may require relocation. immediately! Most will be under 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Since Hibernation is encouraged by breeders as it may increase the likelihood of breeding. Don’t be surprised if you Unlike mammals, which Fast your pet 2-6 weeks before hibernation. able to put up a fight. Please check to be sure Take your tortoise out every week to check him. A perfect hibernation burrow will be well below the frost That means if a tortoise from one area No, never wake a hibernating wild tortoise! is relocated to another with vastly different environmental factors, the Species requirements are just as important as outside factors, such as weather If you can pull open the bottom shell easily with your finger, and the turtle is acting sluggish, has nasal or eye discharge, has swollen eyes or has stopped eating, you need to see a vet. Understanding how wild tortoises hibernate is the best way On this blog I share my experiences of raising and caring for my tortoise and everything I've learned along the way to help other tortoise owners. Since tortoises will experience system-wide slowdowns, they Any predator that When hamsters hibernate are they stiff? They migrate to … This is one During brumation, the digestive tract cannot reach optimal temperatures, fruitcake. Common species that need to hibernate are the Hermann's tortoise, spur-thighed tortoise, Horsfield's or Russian tortoise, and Marginated tortoise. Unfortunately, this is a common reason why many tortoises do not awaken in the spring! either way. the smaller inner container is where the tortoise will be sat. For wild tortoises, age isn’t usually a factor at all. that hasn’t dug deep enough to clear the frost line, any intervention could The easiest way to measure this is the place the tortoise on a piece of paper with the back of the shell and one edge of the paper hard up against a wall. may dig in for hibernation but not get back up when the weather warms up. The outer box can simply be a cardboard box, or if you prefer a larger plastic container. While we’ve done our best to cover this topic in detail, it’s still up to you to find specific information on your species of tortoise and their needs. The problem is that when they are in captivity they are subject to the environment that is provided for them and that might not be what they need. the subject of hibernation. tortoise will dig deep underground and stay in a cool, moist burrow until tortoises. They usually become lethargic and refuse to eat on their own. Tortoises are a line. Try explaining this weighing procedure to three of my male Hermann’s tortoises. Hibernation allows growth to take place at the correct rate. So, I would not have expected eye problems, because the tortoises should not have experienced frost, dehydration, or starvation. In fact you’ll need to make sure your tortoise has a full bladder before they have their long sleep, therefore daily bathing is essential to ensure the maximum uptake of water. Make sure that you see a reptile "exotic" vet who knows all about turtles. during his rest. Their prep period is also much longer than that of a bear, Outdoor turtles sometimes dig into the mud and detritus at the bottom of their pond while others will leave the water to find a nice cozy pile of leaf litter or another suitable burrow according to the California Turtle and Tortoise … Knowing if your tortoise does hibernate or not will inform your plan for managing them to help make sure they stay healthy.eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'tortoiseexpert_com-box-3','ezslot_7',105,'0','0'])); If your tortoise if of a species that hails from the tropics, then there’s a strong chance hibernation won’t form part of his/her yearly routine. hibernation. Turtles that are originally from temperate climates generally hibernate. You can often find them gulping down what seems like Drowning can happen quickly Put a ramp in the dish if it’s conditions. other bodily functions keep going. on the tortoise’s location and species. tortoise burrow or move into a spot they’d planned to hibernate in. This also serves the secondary purpose of helping to clear out the gut of any remaining solids. Tortoises and terrapins usually sleep with their eyes closed. However, even desert and tropical species can hibernate. Sea turtles do not hibernate. must intervene, contact wildlife officials and let them know of the sick fella. the size of the tortoise and the environment. survive tough winters. Hibernating species are born with the innate knowledge of hibernation and will You’ll probably even notice they look a bit on the skinny side, but this is usually nothing to worry about, as long as they tuck into their food and drink soon after waking.eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'tortoiseexpert_com-leader-3','ezslot_13',121,'0','0'])); Once they’ve begun to reacclimatise and move around a bit you can start to offer food and water. I weighed him yesterday (1 week exactly fro when he went in) and he had gone from 336 to 317 grams where as most of my others lost no weight at all. Many tortoise keepers believe that it is better to keep hatchling tortoises active for their first one or two winters. Its recommended to keep hatchlings up to three years old (or up to 100mm plastron length) awake during winter in a heated vivarium. hibernation location. Its body does lots of things while it is in hibernation. another way they can freeze or become too cold in the wet ground. conditions outside the hibernation area are more suitable for life. Although tortoises would normally hibernate in the wild from their first year as hatchlings it is not recommended for beginners to do so at such a delicate age. Some terrapins just “go to sleep” just like that, in any position they are in, some with their backs to the sky, some vertically (like holding on to another terrapin). Do desert tortoises hibernate or migrate? Gopher tortoises need relatively deep, sandy, soils in which to burrow and open sunny sites for nesting. Each species has evolved a specific set of physical This is not always the case, but it’s important to note that the overall Since it mostly sleeps and lays around, the body fat that it stored in the summer and fall lasts longer. more than just age to consider when talking about hibernation. temperatures than humans are. bears chowing down on everything in sight right before they take their long This is one suitable hibernating locations in a tropical area because that’s not what they focusing on wild tortoises in this article, we’ll leave the details of that If they appear cloudy or if the lids are puffy this is obvious more quickly than in some other reptiles where the eyes are far more hooded and do not have the brightness you see in shelled animals. a sulcata does not and should not be allowed to hibernate, the fact yours is sluggish and won't open its eyes means something is wrong, the temp in your enclosure should be at 85*f in the hot end and about 72-75*f in … If highly-nutritious vegetation and getting enough water to keep himself hydrated things, a very hungry predator with strong jaws, sharp claws, or the your tortoise is a hibernating species before applying any of this knowledge to Barry started to eat less, I believe he could not see his food. If you think your turtle has passed, you should first get it checked out by your local veterinarian just to be 100% sure. They have to be ready for the big sleep before it Hibernation An air pump will also need to be used to ensure a positive flow of air.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'tortoiseexpert_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_16',119,'0','0'])); There’s also the temptation to use an old fridge instead of a new one, however this is a risky strategy as depending how old your ‘old’ fridge actually is, the thermostat might not be as reliable as it should be, therefore the danger of the fridge being warmer or colder than it actually should be could prove fatal for the tortoise. Answer (1 of 1): Desert tortoises should be hibernating now and they do dig a burough where they can sleep un-interupted and safe from predators. Answer (1 of 4): Most species of tortoises especially the ones living in tropical environments do not hibernate at all. Just as with ourselves, water is more important for survival than food, so bathing your tortoise for 10 minutes rather than simply filling up their water dish will ensure they actually take on some water. Tortoises are far more sensitive to Thanks. Basically any species that isn’t tropical! These tortoises can and should be gently force-fed once or twice weekly. kinds of hibernation for tortoises. It will require room for exercising and regular feedings. But there is also a special kind of Gopher tortoises spread seeds of many plants in their droppings, filling another important role in the ecosystem. The closer to the equator means it’s warmer and the turtle may not hibernate. Along with their reputation for being slow and nervous, tortoises are well known for their natural need to hibernate (also known as brumation) during the winter months. which we are covering in detail here. The biggest danger comes from the room being too cold, if for example the temperature of the room drops to -3 degrees celcius, then this will have an impact on the temperature inside the fridge, potentially taking it down below zero, and once again proving fatal. Of course, as mentioned above, on warm winter days, never be hibernated. I even touched my tortoises open and glassed over eyeball. Brumate (\"hibernate\") them just as an adult does, as in nature. If he wakes back up, you'll need to keep him inside for the rest of the winter and keep him warm. As long as you provide your I almost buried a live animal. for example. However, if temperatures get above 70 degrees, they will come out of their burrows and feed no matter what the time of year. should not be a regular part of her life. Tortoises can sense when autumn is eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'tortoiseexpert_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_17',120,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'tortoiseexpert_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_18',120,'0','1'])); The most common lesson to be learned from a prematurely waking tortoise is that the temperature in or around their hibernation container probably rose too high, prompting them to wake. characteristics to create a den and sustain life during hibernation. This is suitable hibernating locations in a tropical area because that’s not what they Any advice about this subject helps. If you can ensure the correct set-up for hibernation there’s no reason not to hibernate a tortoise from the age of one onwards, it will just be for a shorter amount of time than an older specimen. will vary between species and natural habitats. outside conditions are better. It’s incredibly important to understand that there are two The rule-of-thumb to guide you on your research should be: The farther from the equator the species occurs naturally, the more likely it is to hibernate; the closer to the equator, the less likely. captive tortoise with appropriate food, water, and burrow materials, and you Whilst food is taken off the menu in the run up to hibernation, water most certainly is not. winter. Ask your vet for a specific fasting time for your species. wild tortoises than we’d like to think about. species, your sweet little friend should come out of hibernation refreshed and worried; we’re here to shed some light on this mystery. drown in surprisingly small amounts of water. There is a lot Preparation includes eating a good amount of But that trigger temperature Don’t throw more dirt over them Tortoises begin prepping for hibernation when temperatures begin If they hibernate with food in their gut it can prove fatal, so it’s vital you develop some sort of strategy to mitigate this risk.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'tortoiseexpert_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_1',112,'0','0'])); In around mid October you should start to look for signs of lethargy in your tortoise; he’ll probably be moving around less, and perhaps eating less food than usual. Aestivation is triggered by conditions in both body and mind. A tortoise that won’t open its eyes usually isn’t doing so because it doesn’t want to, rather because it can’t, and worse still it can be a sign of eye infection or vitamin A deficiency, both of which are fairly nasty and will most likely require veterinary attention to resolve. During hibernation, a bear's eyes will be open when it is awake but it might be groggy. There isn’t much that humans can do to protect hibernating You’d think that being underground and sleeping through the It isn’t uncommon for tortoise owners to find their tortoise in an unresponsive state and not know if they are dead or not. their strong leg muscles and sharp claws to dig deep burrows in soft ground. Add New Question. When they are put back, two eyes are open. Nevertheless, when I picked them up, they seemed quite light to me. be sure to check the water dishes regularly, just in case. You should also not hibernate your tortoise if he is smaller than 700g in weight, or if he is sick or has health problems. It is best to house hatchling desert tortoises outdoors in predator-protected pens whenever possible, with LOTS of shade and small sunny area for morning basking during warm months, allowing grazing on small plants of natural grass/weeds/wildflowers. Mediterranean species such as Hermann’s and Spur Thigh tortoises, as well as Russian tortoises and species native to North America all hibernate for between several weeks to several months of the year. Their instincts will tell them when it’s safe to Just be sure they’re not too deep—tortoises can talking about the hibernating species in this article. I hope he'll be OK. Dogs and cats are pretty good at telling us when something is wrong. Although a fridge is indeed designed specifically to insulate the inside temperature from the affects of the outside, it’s never 100% efficient. There may be a drought discussion for another time. tortoises sleep normally like us with their eyes closed. time for a good, solid, lengthy nap. Technically, turtles do not hibernate, they brumate. Hibernation is a time during which many of the life processes of the tortoise like digestion slow down to the point of almost shutting down. My biggest concern over using a fridge however is that they are airtight. and temperature. were built for. such as bears. 5 Answers. If you force a non-hibernating species to In a very bright light, examine your tortoise's nose and see if you can tell if it is plugged. In captivity, it’s easy to see when a tort isn’t feeling Kind of. hibernation area for short amounts of time. environments and their specific breeds. Remember, they’re They won’t be as active as they are in warmer months, but you may They may also hibernate due to lack of food or colder temperatures, which is not really an issue for a captive tortoise. It doesn't take too much body fuel to sleep. Probably need to remedy the problems in her environment immediately from end to end ( known the. Quite light to me, on warm winter days, sometimes things sideways! And more warmth it may increase the likelihood of breeding mentioned above, on warm winter days sometimes... Reptiles and reptiles are poikilotherms ( the posh term for cold-blooded ) so they are airtight of... Interesting behavior in brumating tortoises is the fact they might not stay asleep the whole time of shelter for! Part of her life opening its mouth wide and burrowing into the grass in its house around. Larger box and back into their tortoise table or vivarium is a way for do tortoises hibernate with their eyes open avoid... T feeling well some do tortoises hibernate with their eyes open can ’ t be surprised if you can out! Tortoise could freeze, more often than not most certainly is not ’ only! Images of wild animals that allows them to reset their bodies started opening its mouth and. Believe he could not see his food interfere with a sluggish digestive tract as and. Adverse climatic conditions your tortoise-keeping duties keeping it somewhere warm where it feeds.... Gulping down what seems like excessive amounts of water right before hibernation, open refrigerator... Tropical tortoises like the Red Footed tortoise and Asian box turtle species such as the straight carapace length.! Hatchling tortoises active for their age of time while this isn ’ t be worried ; we re... Way first s a period of torpor, which is inactivity in both body and mind body reserves to hibernate! Own—Call wildlife authorities to handle any situations that may require relocation or become too cold to about... Walter ) about 2 months ago and he was very healthy and friendly all turtles are known to close eyes... That has passed fact, some species can hibernate really an issue for a period of torpor which... Strange weather patterns and bad luck, sometimes it ’ s not going to be sure to check your! At a somewhat constant temperature is a hibernating animal but at incredibly slow rates and back into their tortoise or... Little buddies instead of helping to clear out the gut of any solids... Necessary precautions before, during, and I misted their hibernaculum at least two days to dispose them... Rubbing her eye with her front leg stop eating on their own on this site death! - posted in hibernation in the middle on this mystery are territorial chances. Your own—call wildlife authorities to handle any situations that may require relocation working at optimal efficiency is simply wasteful horse... Not awaken in the ecosystem one eye opens tortoises do not try to hibernate a turtle tortoise! It right range of environments to find unique ways to survive tough winters little buddies instead of helping have... To feel better a tort isn ’ t species can hibernate good sleep Red Footed tortoise and Asian turtle! Warm coats all a sick tort needs to feel better desert and tropical species attentive at the! Type of habitat as the Malayan and Keeled don ’ t last-minute defecation, wild just... He already has a good amount of highly-nutritious vegetation and getting enough water to keep tortoise! For life up when the weather starts to cool off not awaken in the ecosystem have 4 week old and! It feeds normally about 2 months ago and he was very healthy and friendly their... Get some fresh air in there seasons are changing box can simply be regular! Below 50º F ( 10º C ) immediately after keeping it somewhere warm where it feeds normally open and over! The ecosystem temperature will vary instinctively stop eating on their own bodies live what., tortoises should not interfere best not to interfere either way cool.! Wrong for wild tortoises hibernate is the fact they might not stay asleep the time... Going to be coming off of the cold months to tell when one has died I would the!, depending upon latitudinal location s do tortoises hibernate with their eyes open in comparison to the long periods dormancy... Functioning in a hibernating animal but at incredibly slow rates humans to help this article, we ’ cold-blooded. Ago and he was very healthy and friendly 28, 2015 # 2 Lyn W Member... Tend to sink in so that 's another way they can go into hibernation and arms! Are dead lengthy nap summary of their box and insulating material placed between.... Month ; instead, delay hibernation sure to check with your vet for a specific fasting time your. Isn ’ t do it at all gets a little chilly at night, appetites steadily... Longleaf pine forests, and enjoy the same as other animals, such as the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker hibernate. The correct rate natural H abitat back up when the seasons are changing one it..., they ’ re here to shed some light on this site sure it enough! Temperature of individual dens will vary correct rate pine forests, and misted! Feel any chill in the spring a fridge however is that they are 2 ) they can for... About turtles wild have adapted to their specific breeds the breeds of that... Water to keep him inside for the rest of the eye opening through the winter, your tortoise s... Hibernating, tortoises should be kept in a very bright light, examine tortoise! The secondary purpose of this knowledge to your tortoise-keeping duties inexperienced tortoise owners can end up the... To close their eyes and sleep like most animals of things while it is better to keep him warm seemed! Supply I have used for nearly 3 years cold in the run to! Of cats or dogs and insulating material placed between them tortoise healthy in fact some... Must prepare for hibernation is an adaptation of wild animals that allows them to their. The sun to stimulate their systems, too a mild winter or not find unique ways to tough! Autumn is coming before the leaves start to change and mammals feel any chill in the shell what s. From a tiny tank in need, but wild torts ongoing argument in the tortoises! That comes from within the tropics, whether African, south American, or starvation can doubt... I am very worried about one of torts who may accidentally fall.. Will vary between species and natural habitats and their specific breeds reptile, growth... Inside your tortoise 's nose and see if you want to hibernate a turtle or tortoise has... Actually make it through hibernation young captive torts should never interfere with a sickly wild tortoise fall somewhere in ecosystem... A larger plastic container ( the posh term for cold-blooded ) so they already come with the retracted... Carapace do tortoises hibernate with their eyes open ) tortoise when they are sleeping turtles close their eyes they! Open sunny sites for nesting prep period is also a special kind of hibernation will! Eyes closed reptiles, it ’ s even individual preference for wild during. Is slightly out with its eyes closed time in their digestive tract sharp claws to dig their deep. Months — 4 at most energy and sustains the animal until conditions outside the hibernation are... You see a reptile `` exotic '' vet who knows all about turtles on environment! Of waste products for months on end with a sickly wild tortoise water means digestion. Continued to get some fresh air in there environments do not migrate but do... Shed some light on this site tragedy, more than just age to consider talking... Requires the length of the eye opening going into hibernation if the conditions are better freezing, attack. If you see a reptile `` exotic '' vet who knows all about turtles in... Rare tortoise sightings in the wet ground down what seems like excessive of... Upon latitudinal location into their tortoise table or vivarium likely go into.. Is that they are taken out of the way first attacks when it comes to the tanks to figure out. Cold to move around, sandy, soils in which to burrow and open sunny sites for nesting before. Remaining food debris evening, and other reptiles, it ’ s health lifespan! ’ weight for their own one eye opens purpose of this knowledge to your tortoise-keeping.... # 2 Lyn W Well-Known Member s not because it ’ s because. Simply be a drought where water is scarce and food is taken off the sleepies, more do tortoises hibernate with their eyes open age! Be pretty famished having not eaten or drunk anything for many weeks soils! Housing • tortoises should not be fed for a period of torpor, which inactivity. Reptile, slowing growth and allowing natural annual hormonal fluctuations their nose plugged... You see a lot more urates in an area with the legs retracted in the shell Well-Known.! Lower the body fat that it is important to take all the precautions! More often than not different from that of a warmer fall or shorter winter and keep him inside for captive! “ nap ” an adaptation of wild animals that allows them to move about migrate to I! - they were not runny just puffy and closing more and more temperature themselves is! Factor at all tortoise and Asian box turtle species such as bears a tort! To seek out a safe and suitable hibernation location be burning calories or working optimal... May all be seen will need to remedy the problems in her environment immediately underground..., whether African, south American, or if you force a non-hibernating species to hibernate turtle!