Hi there I rescued a female 5 1/2 yr old Hermanns tortoise approx. 6 weeks ago when I got her sh hadn't been having any uv lights or basking lights. This soon changed and I bought her a new viv with all the lighting. I now want to know whether it is safe for this torty to hibernate this year or should I leave her for another year please could someone advise me whether she should hibernate or not ? If not could someone tell me whether she will be ok on a tortoise table with the correct lighting because she is going stir crazy in the viv and spends most evenings on my lap watching tv she doesn't seem happy in the viv although this is all she has been used to. I want the best for her and although I have only just bought her viv her happiness is much more important to me

Thanks

Chermaine

Hi Chermaine
Viv are not appropriate to house toroises, as you are experiencing. Firstly you cannot control the temperatures needed, cool 22c one end 32c  in the basking area. The humidity isn't good, it could cause respiratory problems, and they are continually trying to escape through the glass which is very stressful to the tort. Have a read of the care sheets opposite under "The Tortoise" link, that will give you lots of good advice.
Regarding hibernation, do you know the previous history?
Jane

Thanks Jane the only thing I know about Georgie's hibernation is that the girl I got her from said that she will be ready this year to hibernate but don't think she has been hibernated before she was very vague but after ready your care sheets it said if you have owned the tortoise for less than a year then they shouldn't be hibernated until the following year but as I keep saying I just want to do the best for Georgie.

Thanks

chermaine

Hi Cheramine
Personally I would like to have a year on seeing how her health is, and have her checked over with a specialist tortoise vet.Plus as it is your first time and hers I would make sure that I felt confident and prepared with everything that I needed.
Just a few questions if you don't mind. What are her weights, is she weeing & pooing OK, and what food are you giving her?
Sorry to ask so many questions, but it gives a clearer picture to enable the correct advice
Jane

Hi I haven't weighed her yet but I will tomorrow and let you know she wees and poos all the time especially in the bath and it is all solid no runs I have been feeding her kale , watercress dandelions carrot, sweet potato strawberries peppers cauliflower broccoli and green beans and occasionally canteloupe melon

Many thanks

Chermaine

Hi can I just ask Jane while I am trying to get Georgie settled and happy should Charlie my 8 month old torty also be on a table rather than in a viv because I was told that hatchlings should be in the viv now I am really confused.

Thanks

Chermaine

Not Jane, but glad to help. Babies and adults need the same environment regardless of age. Hatchlings don't do well in vivs for the same reason as adults, this is usually petshop advice. By the time things have gone wrong, you will not connect it to the shop and so they get away with giving this awful info. All tortoises need a fair amount of space, as they roam great distances in the wild and should be allowed to do so in captivity as far as we can. It's inhumane to pen them in small areas, just the same as any other animal really. Hope this helps.

Not Jane, but glad to help. Babies and adults need the same environment regardless of age. Hatchlings don't do well in vivs for the same reason as adults, this is usually petshop advice. By the time things have gone wrong, you will not connect it to the shop and so they get away with giving this awful info. All tortoises need a fair amount of space, as they roam great distances in the wild and should be allowed to do so in captivity as far as we can. It's inhumane to pen them in small areas, just the same as any other animal really. Hope this helps.

Thankyou so much for your help I am very grateful. yes it was pet shop advice and I am now realising that actually they don't have a clue have bough some wood tonight to make 2 tortoise tables now one for charlie and one for Georgie thankyou again for such useful help.

Chermaine