HI We've got two 2 year old Hermanns (female we think), both healthy and active. One has always been a good weight with a Jackson ration of 0.18-0.20. The other has always been light in her shell at 0.16 - 0.18. We overwintered last year, but were hoping to hibernate this year. The light one peaked at about JR 0.18 in August and is now down to 0.16 again. She has a bit of flaky skin but otherwise healthy and active and eating OK. Any thoughts ? Do some torts always remain light to shell size and if so is this a hibernation risk ? I've read all the hibernation advice and can work out which way to go. Thanks !

Hello,
The "J. Ratio" is a useful guide.

How long are you thinking of hibernat

You have sensibly kept regular weight records & this is the best way to decide to determine if it's safe to hibernate your lighter tort..
Did you obtain them from a breeder ?
In view of the history of 'low' weight, have you had faecal samples checked ?
How long are you intending to hibernate them ?
Regards
Tom

I regret the error!!
Tom

Tom

Thanks for this. We got the tortoises in April 2012 from Chris Ellis at Turbo Tortoises. We chose a pair from the same batch of eggs.

I now realised that we've never wormed them (our mistake - checking notes I see Chris advised this). I can check the faeces of the low weight one for worms. Any good web images of worms (I've got lots of microscopes but no worm pics - are they obvious). Wouldn't they both be infected living in the same pen ?

Having read much online advice we were thinking of hibernation for a couple of months only this time around. But, if the risk is high then we'll overwinter again. Any advice appreciated.

Tobit