Hello. I have a group of RT. Most of the animals have reached the breeding size but I have infertility problems. They are kept all the active period outside and hibernate them in a garage (they bury in autum but I don´t let them hibernate outside because I amb afraid of rainy winters). They are fed a natural diet (wild plants taken from edible plants lists plus some supermarket greens). They look healthy and are active, but most females don´t make eggs. I wonder if they need aestivation as part of the reproductive cicle.In July-August, when plants are dry some bury completely, I only know they are there because of the removed earth. It´s different from the retiring holes they make in spring.I think the stimulus to enter aestivation in the heat and the drying of the food stuff. It´s possible that if I didn´t offer food they would all bury.
Has anyone let them aestivate and then enter hibernation strightforward as they do in nature?