Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have two Russian Tortoises that I rescued this summer. They stay outside in a pen and have been doing well. I have also built them a double-boxed hibernaculum, which is outdoors on a covered, shady part of my deck.

As far as I can tell, they have not come out to forage in over a month. I check on them weekly, and they are always in their hide box, buried deep under they hay and partially dug into the ground, fast asleep.

My guess is that they are already gone for the season, but it's hard to say since the temps still range from 40 to 70.

I'm thinking of moving them to their hibernaculum tomorrow. Previously it was suggested in the forum that I should do this mid November.

Any thoughts? They temperature fluctuation has me a bit concerned, but they seem to be already gone, and I just want to be sure. The are where the hibernaculum is gets no sunlight, so I imagine that it is substantially more temperature stable.

Time Lord, I think they should be good to go into the hibernaculum. You might give them one last soak before doing so... My outdoor herd here in the Imperial Valley appears down for the season, despite the still warm days in hi 80'2 to 90 f. Nights are cooling and the sun is lower, apparently the queues they require...

Assuming your tortoises are in good health and fed plenty this season, they should do fine. Do not hesitate to check on them occassionally, and make sure they don't get soaking wet over the winter. good luck, Vic