There are some tortoise keepers that believe that they should try and duplicate nature as they perceive it. In the lower lattitudes Testudo graeca does not hibernate in the wild because they do not have to.



Most tortoises can be forced to hibernate... even those that are thought not to hibernate in the wild. Again... hibernation is just an adaptation to survive unfavorable conditions.



Heat source... I use pig blankets which are heat mats made for rough use. You can also make an insulated house with a ceramic heat emitter with a thermostat.



>>Thank you for your reply. In the past I would bring Spartacus inside during the cooler winter months because I was worried about the conditions required for safe hibernation. If it's okay for Sparty to skip hibernating because of our fabulous AZ winter weather, that is perfectly fine with me. I thought I was preventing him from living the natural tortoise life cycle.

>>

>>What kind of heaters can be used outside to keep his burrow warm at night? I'll look online and see what I can find.

>>

>>Thanks,

>>Kate
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers

Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

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