![]() ![]() Tortoises prepare for hibernation, and you would need to do the same. Speaking to a vet is generally a good idea at various stages throughout the year to plan. So, whether or not you decide to hibernate a Hermann tortoise is something that needs to be well researched and seriously considered. In the right container, at the right temperature, and placed in the right spot. Then the conditions need to be optimal too. Otherwise, they can die of starvation and dehydration. ![]() That means sufficient weight and of health too.įor instance, they need to have built up sufficient reserves of body fat. They need to be adequately healthy to do so. The truth is, not all tortoises should hibernate. ![]() It depends on where a Hermann is being housed, where they are being kept, and most importantly if they are healthy enough to hibernate. ![]() There is no evidence to suggest it is ‘healthier’ despite this commonly being raised. Or at least they suspect, and in the short term.īut it’s certainly something to question. Should they? Well, there are plenty of owners who report keeping tortoises for years, never hibernating them, and not seeing any adverse health in their tortoises. Owners can carefully control the environment, ensuring that a Hermann tortoise is kept in optimal conditions year-round. In the wild, it is not natural for them to be awake and eating every single day of the year.īut in captivity, it is different. And for the Hermann tortoise, they are biologically primed to be able to effectively do so. It’s an entirely natural and reactive state to adversity. When temperatures dramatically decline, and food is scarce.Īs such, a tortoise will slow down its metabolism and rate of energy expenditure and will instead conserve energy. Hibernation is something that a tortoise will do out of survival. However, there is debate as to whether this is considered a necessity to their health and longevity. It is generally advised to hibernate a Hermann tortoise. Do I Have To Hibernate My Hermann Tortoise? But, when they actually do is another matter altogether. So, a Hermann tortoise can theoretically hibernate from any age. Otherwise, the tortoise is at risk of survival. With the many aspects of hibernation to consider, it requires some knowledge and expertise to do so successfully. Hibernating a hatchling and young tortoise is challenging. However, more experienced tortoise keepers will hibernate their tortoises from a hatchling for a shorter period of 4 weeks to begin with. It would likely mean bringing them inside, too. This will typically involve environment manipulation, if kept outside, to ensure the conditions do not become too severe for hibernation to occur. It comes advised for most new owners, to begin to hibernate a Hermann between the ages of 1-3 years old.ĭuring those first few years, the owner would ‘overwinter’ their tortoise to keep them awake during this time. In captivity, the first time a Hermann will hibernate has a lot to do with the owner, how they are being kept and when hibernation is induced. In the wild, a Hermann Tortoise will hibernate from their first winter and when the conditions become adverse.
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