How cold is too cold for a sulcata tortoise?
Sulcata tortoises that live outdoors are tolerant to various temperature ranges. High temperatures are not going to be a problem provided the tortoise has a shaded area to escape to if desired. The tortoises themselves can handle surprisingly cold temperatures, as low as 45 degrees Fahrenheit, with no problems.
Do Russian tortoises need to hibernate?
Russian tortoises do not need to hibernate to be healthy, so tortoises kept indoors and maintained at stable temperatures will never skip a beat while winter winds below outside. Russian tortoises hibernate underground during the winter if they are allowed some time to dig a burrow before cold temperatures set in.
Is my tortoise dead or just hibernating?
One way to check on your tortoise is to simply pick him up. If he retains muscle control, then he is fine. That means even if his head and limbs are still tucked in his shell, he’s got control and he’s just snoozing. But if the tortoise’s legs and head droop and wobble, then the tortoise is likely deceased.
Do horsefield tortoises hibernate?
Not all tortoises hibernate, however the following tortoises will hibernate: The Spur-Thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni) Horsfield’s tortoise (also known as the Russian tortoise, or Agrionemys Horsfieldii or Testudo Horsfieldii)
Can sulcata tortoises hibernate?
In captivity, sulcatas must be provided with a hot and dry environment year round. Unlike California desert tortoises, sulcatas do not hibernate. Although they can tolerate some surprisingly low temperatures, they cannot be allowed to get both chilled and wet, or kept outdoors in chill, damp weather.
How do I keep my sulcata tortoise warm at night?
To keep the heat in, a flexible rubber material, such as pond liner, can be cut to make door-flaps. This allows the tortoise to crawl in while not allowing the heat to escape. The heater should keep the enclosure at least 70 degrees at night and maintain similar temperatures to a warm summer day if the weather cold.
How do I know if my Russian tortoise is hibernating?
Signs that a Russian tortoise is hibernating include slower breathing, a lower temperature, a low appetite, and a general lack of movement. As you can probably imagine, while tortoises are generally slow anyway, it’s quite a contrast to what you would typically expect.
How do I stop my Russian tortoise from hibernating?
It might be necessary to install some form of supplementary heating at night, to prevent the tortoise going into hibernation mode. There are several options: Suspend a ceramic heat emitter above the sleeping area, and attach it to a thermostat so that when the temperature falls too low it will come on.
Can you wake a hibernating tortoise?
Tortoises hibernate (brumate) when temperatures get cold, especially in the winter. This means any owner can wake their tortoise by accident when checking on their pet. If your tortoise has finished most of its 3-month brumation, you can let it wake up. Provide food, heat, and a soaking tub.
How long do I hibernate my horsefield tortoise?
When you hibernate your tortoise for the first time, we strongly suggest that you only hibernate for 3 weeks regardless of the age of the tortoise.
Can you wake up a tortoise from hibernation?
If your tortoise has been hibernating for the winter, you should wake it up when the outdoor temperature increases above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, or when it has been 4 months since it began its hibernation. To wake your tortoise, bring its hibernaculum indoors and place it next to a space heater for a few hours.