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what to do in power cuts?
Posted: 27/10/2013 by aleta66

Hi everyone, I am sure most people have heard about storms/winds forecast for next 24 hours, I am worried about what to do with my Hermann during a power cut, she is about 10 months old and small obviously, we were not planning to hibernate her yet so she is indoors with a combined heat/uv lamp. I want to know what to do if it happens. we had a power cut a few years ago that lasted 14 hours and although I did not have a tortoise at the time, I have fish and 1 died as a result of the filter being off. I have read a previous post on here from a couple of years ago that suggested a small generator if power cuts were frequent but this is a few hundred quid as far as I can see, is there any thing else like a battery unit to run lights that anyone knows about or any advice please?

Re: what to do in power cuts?
Posted: 27/10/2013 by Tom

Hello Aleta,
T.hermanni is a hardy species. The absence of supplementary heat for a day, or indeed, a few days, would be totally harmless.
You say it was hatched in December, that is not normal. Anyway it can be hibernated in Jan. and / or Feb.. Follow the very good hibe. advice on the site. I assume you have weekly weight records.
Records
Tom

Re: what to do in power cuts?
Posted: 05/11/2013 by aleta66

Hi Tom

thank you for your reply, we did not have a prolonged power cut in any event, but that is very reassuring to know that it wouldn't be a great problem. You have reminded me about weighing her, I am afraid I have not been doing this, I had meant to get some scales for sometime as I did not have any suitable scales, mine are old and not that accurate for such a small weight. I have ordered some digital ones which should be here soon. As for her being hatched  in winter I am sure the lady said November or December  checked and she was hatched in November, the lady I got them from did not hibernate her tortoises. I have a certificate but the date of hatching is not on there. I will ask her. I am concerned about hibernating her this year as she is so small. I do realise that in the wild they hibernate at this age but no doubt many of them do not make it or have problems and this being my daughters pet I really don't want anything to happen to her. I would feel more confident I think waiting. I will post again when I have her weight. 

 

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