>>Thanks for the info Bradtort!! I am planning on hibernating my torts like my colubrids, around 50-60 degrees from December to February. Do the temps sound right? Also, when you hibernate, do you place them in boxes filled with mulch or other type of substrate?

>>

>>Thanks Again



Temps in the 40s and 50s might be better. Mine voluntarily went into hibernation when temps dropped below 60, and came out voluntarily when temps rose above 60. But from what I read, their metabolism will still run a little high at 60 degrees, and they will do better at lower temps.



I placed them in a box with newspaper. I also weighed them every few weeks. If the tort lost more than say 10-15 grams, I would soak it in shallow, cool water for 15 minutes. Soaking them does wake them up, but it doesn't seem to interfere with the hibernation. Soaking helps avoid dehydration.



Read up on hibernation at www.tortoisetrust.org

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