Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Do you absolutely have to hybernate a pet russian/greek or hermanns if you have no intention of breeding them? The pet would be kept inside during the winter as we reach 20 below zero here yearly.

Thank!!!

Wild caught russians seem to slow down in the winter no matter what you do.

With my captive-bred russians I would keep them awake during the first winter and then intentionally cool them down for a 4-6 week hibernation the following winters. It just seemed that the tortoises were more energized and hungry after a hibernation.

You might have more luck with a captive-bred animal that hasn't been hibernated. But I'd still be prepared for the tort to slow down over the winter.

I have hibernated my Russian group for 3-4 months every winter (I too live where it gets to 20 below in the winter)for the last 9 years purely for health reasons.

Russians will eat themselves to obesity in no time flat and the 3-4 months in the fridge helps keep that under control and they come out wired and refreshed.

I should have added that whether they're wild caught OR captive bred, Russians will eat themselves into obesity very quickly.

Captive breeding doesn't erase or reset thousands of years of evolutionary adaptation.

Ernie

>>I should have added that whether they're wild caught OR captive bred, Russians will eat themselves into obesity very quickly.
>>
>>Captive breeding doesn't erase or reset thousands of years of evolutionary adaptation.
>>
>>Ernie

I just feed mine less. It really works.

...is that what you both referring to???

>>I should have added that whether they're wild caught OR captive bred, Russians will eat themselves into obesity very quickly.

Captive breeding doesn't erase or reset thousands of years of evolutionary adaptation.

Ernie

>>I just feed mine less. It really works.

I have to disagree that russians will eat themselves to obesity. My russian group is a mix of wild caught and captive bred, and they seem to slow down a little bit in the winter (eat only a couple times per week instead of everyday) and use some of their reserves without my intervening. I keep the temperatures high and I don't adjust the light cycle. Mine also produce eggs in the winter. But that isn't to say that other russians are going to be the same.

In general, if you choose to "hibernate" them, don't do it unless you have a lot of familiarity with the animal(s) and are confident that they are in good health.