Page 16 - ACT Paws and Hooves - Autumn 2023

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Page 16 - ACT Paws and Hooves - Autumn 2023
P. 16

HOW TO...


       Prepare your tortoise


       for hibernation





       The British climate can be too      Make sure their bowels               Prepare the hibernation area
       cold for some breeds of tortoise    and bladder are ready                If using a double hibernation box,
       in the winter. The Hermanns,        Before hibernation, stop feeding your   make sure it’s rodent-proof. A large
       Spur-thighed and Horsfield          tortoise (the length of time for this   wooden box like a tea chest with small
       tortoises may need to hibernate     will depend on their size). During   air holes can be a good option. Cover
       if they are healthy. As hibernation   this time, keep your tortoise warm   the holes with wire mesh to prevent
       season approaches, Dr Joanna        so digestion can continue. Tortoises   vermin from entering but allow the air
       Hedley Senior Lecturer in Exotic    need to have a fluid reservoir during   to circulate. Put your tortoise in an
       Species at the RVC shares her       hibernation, so bathe them every     inner box with air holes. Both boxes
       pre-hibernation top tips.
                                           other day in the pre-hibernation     should be insulated, for example, with
                                           period so they have a full bladder.  newspaper or dry leaves. Place the
       Get a pre-hibernation                                                    smaller box inside the bigger one,
       vet check                           Slowly reduce their                  making sure you can easily open it for
       It’s important to confirm your tortoise   temperature                    check-ups.
       has no underlying illnesses before                                       If using a fridge, temperatures inside
       they enter hibernation. A faecal    Aim for 5°C reductions in their body   can vary with higher shelves being
       sample may be taken to check they   temperature per week. You could      warmer. Use a thermal probe or
       are healthy enough to hibernate     achieve this by allowing them to     max/min thermometer to help you
       and do not have an excessively      spend more time outside, in an       to achieve the correct hibernation
       high parasite burden.               outhouse or cold frame. Bring your
                                           tortoise inside overnight and don’t   temperature of 5°C. To ventilate, open
                                           provide a basking site. Once their   the door daily for about 30 seconds.
                                           body temperature is around 13°C      Place a bowl of water in the bottom of
                                           they will be ready for hibernation.  the fridge so the air doesn’t dry out.


                                                                                Looking after your
                                                                                hibernating tortoise
                                                                                Maintaining a consistent hibernation
                                                                                temperature is key. Below freezing
                                                                                can result in your tortoise losing their
                                                                                eyesight or even their life. Too warm
                                                                                and they’ll stay too active and use up
                                                                                their much-needed fat, glycogen and
                                                                                starch supplies. For more advice
                                                                                on how to safely hibernate
                                                                                your tortoise, please visit
                                                                                rvcact.com/tortoisehibernation



















                                                                                             P&H        AUTUMN 2023
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