Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all!!
I just found out my yearling tort is a Marginated and since than have done a lot of research on them. I'm more used to dealing with Sulcatas like my other guy.

My dreaded question: Do I hibernate him this year?

I live in AZ so it rarely get's below 32 degrees at night in the winter but can still be 70 degrees or warmer in the day..it's very hard to regulate a constant 40-42 degrees for hibernation.

DO I PUT HIM IN THE FRIDGE? AAAAHHH WHY DOES THIS SCARE ME?

I've had some reptile people say "No don't hibernate him until he's older and can do it himself, just keep him active year around and bring him inside during the winter".

And if I do, should I only do like 6 weeks of hibernation since he's still young. I've done a lot of reading on this about not feeding them for a good 2 weeks (or 7 days for yearlings)..etc etc.it still freaks me out.

I am hibernating my T.graeca ibera and marginata in a refrigerator, as I live in a similar (even warmer) climate to yours. I'm in the Imperial Valley of CA. Check out tortoiseman.com web-site, Dean provides some great information on hibernating. Do what he says, don't deviate significantly, he has been long term successful. I found a cool digital temp/hygrometer at a well known electronics shack for about $19.00, so I can see the temp at a glance.
Tortoises have been hibernating for years, so provide the basics and you should do fine. Do your research, the above source and perhaps CTTC also. Good luck, Vic Herrick P.S. I would hibernate small ones not more than 8-10 weeks, adults 14 weeks or so. Assuming they enter hibernation in prime health.