Posted by:
VICtort
at Sun Aug 23 18:48:37 2009 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by VICtort ]
Hibernation I think is a good thing for them, and it gives you a break over the Holidays. However, it must be done correctly, or it could be disastrous. Try to read up on it, including A.Highfield and those clubs/websites I told you about.
Soil substrate? That will be very heavy...I have always used light insulation material, i.e. leaves, straw (some say not good, it worked fine for me, must stay dry), even shredded newpaper. Try to insulate your box, you don't want them temp shocked between sunny days and frosty nights, and the "false spring" that sometimes happens, i.e. 10 days of mild weather in February, then it freezes again. I have used big ice chests, filled with above insulating material, then placed in an outbuilding, and covered with blankets. A tiny gap in lid for air, or open the drain loose. Many ways to do it, but remember cool and dry is tolerable, but cool and wet is a killer. Be sure your tortoises are "empty" of digested food, give them 2-3 weeks to purge themselves, soaking frequently. OK to check on them in mid-winter, just don't warm them up.
good luck, Vic H. Imperial Valley, CA. USA
Good luck, Vic H
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RE: Hibernaculum for Russians - VICtort, Sun Aug 23 18:48:37 2009