HI all. Please can some people give me advice. Im all new to this as I only got George 4 months ago. He is now 3 years old and I weigh him every month. He has put on stedy weight and now weighs 69g. I really want to do what is best for him, BUT im really scared that I dont know what im doing when it comes to hibernation. Do I have to do it?

I have read the caresheet on the subject but I really dont know. Also I may sound really dumb but what does Overwintered mean?

any help or advice would be great xx

Also forgot to say he is a Hermann x

Hi there

Im very pro hibernation but in this instance Id have to say overwinter the tortoise. Although it sounds like you are doing all the right things including regular weighing its difficult to gauge a tortoises suitability for hibernation in 3 months. If you can let us know on the setup you use, lights and the like, it will help us to advise on overwintering but basically you've got to keep the tortoise by making it think its summer :)

Overwintering can be aa challanging as hibernation so please ask as many question as you like.

I keep Hermanns too, great arent they :)

Thanks for getting back to me. Ok, his setup. he has an indoor rabbit type cage which is large. One end I have his heater which has just the normal house hold bulb, the temp under this light is: 30 degrees. at the cooler end where his bed is its: 20 degresses. should I place his bed nearer the heater, as im worried he will get cold at night.

Then running all along the back of the cage low down (but not so low it can be touched by the tortoise) he has his uv light. I use the recommended half sand half soil mix, he has one large bark that he likes to sleep under. Ive noticed in the last few days as its got colder he doesn't want to come out of his little home. I ve been taking him out about midday and giving him a warm bath, then he has a little to eat and goes back to bed.

Hi, your set up sounds fine.  Dont place his bed near the heater, this is for basking, the hide is to escape the heat.  At night you dont need the heat lamp on, room temperature in most houses should be fine.

Most tortoises are now sensing the weather changes and are slowing right down, carry on as you are, bathing and letting him bask and eat a little, perhaps lower the heat lamp a little as the ambient room temperature and under the lamp maybe slightly cooling down too, this will increase the temperature a little. But most torts are sleeping more now its perfectly normal.

Regards Vivienne

thanks for you help. I love this site, puts my mind at ease. x

Louise & George.