What you have there is a Russian Tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii). They are a very common pet tortoise and there is much information out there on the web regarding their care. Though they are a tortoise who can be hibernated (both outdoors/or artificially) you may want to consider keeping this particular individual indoors this winter. You do not know the history of this animal, how long this individual was a pet, or if it was recently imported. Depending, it may or may not have parasites. A tortoise with parasites should not be hibernated. Go have it checked by a reptile vet for internal parasites. The other main reason, it is getting late in the season so the transition for this tortoise would be too quick. I would recommend getting this tortoise set up indoors in a warm environment for this winter, and then after doing your research and preparing the tortoise properly next fall, consider hibernation. Here is a link to a site fully dedicated to Russian Tortoise care, but also do your own research. There are many sites and books at least to some degree dedicated to Russian Tortoise care. Good luck, feel free to ask more questions.

www.russiantortoise.org

-JG

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