Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Do hermanns hibernate?
and if so?
how do you go about hibernation?
What are the specifics?
how long?
how?
etc.

Ive heard its not exactly necessary for torts to hibernate in captivity. Is this true?

Im thinking of getting a hermanns and am getting all the questions out.

Thanks so much.

Hermann's do hibernate and should be allowed to do so. They are among the first of my tortoises to want to hibernate, even when it is still fairly warm. I have posted the proper way to hibernate them (using a refrigerator) many times, and am too tired to do it again right now.

Just do a search on the internet and find the information you need.

Most Hermans do hibernate. It is not a requirement for the good health of the animal. What this means is that if it is not inclined to hibernate I don't think it should be forced to do so. On the other hand if the animal shows signs of wanting to hibernate, you should provide the conditions to allow it to do so. Here are 2 websites that have more than enough information on the subject to give you an idea of what you are getting into.
I strongly suggest that you not lean towards hibernation until you research it thoroughly and the animal is a few years old. If you have a hatchling and keep it in a range of 70 to 90 through the year(cool spot to basking spot), the odds are it will not be triggered into hibernation.

http://www.tortoise.org/
http://tortoisetrust.org/
http://www.chelonia.org/
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Thanks for the info.
Some advice that had been given to me at the reptile center where I am planning on purchasing the hermanns from was that it can be dangerous to hibernate the torts if you are not familiar with the process, which I am not. I have never kept a tortoise before, this will be my first attempt. I am very much looking forward to it.

It is a fact... Hibernation is dangerous both in the wild and I believe more so in captivity.
If there is not a reason to hibernate (breeding or the animal is exhibiting signs that it has been keyed to do so) I don't think you should.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

I would have to agree.
I kept a pair down here in south Florida for 6 years and bred them every year. They were kept outdoors all the time except when we had torrential rains (kind of often in the summer).
They would bury themselves in my rose garden during our cold snaps but would emerge after the few days of cold weather passed. Even in south Florida though our weather stays fairly cool throughout winter with nightime temps in the 50s and 60s fairly common. But if it was sunny they would be out and active if at a reduced rate.
Also, I had a pair of Greek tortoises for about 3 years and then gave them to a friend who had them for another 10 or 12 years and they thrived as well, though we never got fertile eggs.