Hi All,

Ive been doing a bit of reading on the fridge method of hibernating tortoises however none of the methods that I could find explain the period between fasting for a period to actually being in the fridge - Im assuming you dont just chuck them in a box in the fridge straight away?

in the past Shelly has been hibernated in a large box in an outhouse however we havent got anything suitable like that at her new house and judging how the weather was last year and hows its been this year Ide like her to be in a more controlled environment for her down time.

Anyone else use the fridge methd?

Thanks

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/Refrigerator.htm

Hi there, never used fridge method, but above link will give you everything you need to know...you have plenty of time to get ready!

Let's enjoy summer first...warm weather ahead!!

Regards, David nr York.

Hi
I have only ever done the fridge method. When you start the winddown (stopping the food) which is between 3-5wks depending on the weight of your tortoise, you keep the temps to just over 18c for 1-2 wks, this keeps the metabolism active so that the food already in the gut can digest and pass through. Over the next weeks you will be bringing the temps down slowly until you get to between 6-7c, and reducing the light. Then on the day I am going to put them in the fridge, I put them in an area all day that is 5-6c before putting them in the fridge that will have been stabilised at 5c.
HTH
Jane

Hi both thank you for your help, I have read this article before. I forgot to mention that shelly lives outside (and has done for the past 50 odd years) how would I maintain the wind down period in her pen outside?

Thanks

I have a lock down in the shed for the first 3 wks by which time they have slowed right down, I then keep them in a box in the house, putting them various areas where the temps and lower each time.
Jane