Hi,

 A friend of mine gave me a young Horsefield tortoise (his two bred) that was hatched in the beginning of September. I've had it since it was a week old. He lives in an open tortoise table with heat lamp and separate UV lamp. I keep these on for generally about 12 hours a day. I check the temp in the open area regularly and that's within recommended guidelines. The table has a separate sleeping area which is dark and not heated, away from the lamp. In the last month or so, (s)he has become noticably less active as if readying for hibernation, sleeping most of the time in the deepest darkest corner of the table. I pick him up each day and place him under the lamps but after a short while he goes back to his corner and sleeps. I was told I shouldn't hibernate him this year, is this correct? If that's the case, should I close off his bedroom area and force him to remain in the light and heat, only opening up the bedroom at night? Or should I just keep doing what I'm doing?  Any advice would be appreciated. Yours....Mike J....PS His name is Clyde

Hi
I would leave him for this year now. What temps have you got at the hot/cool ends?
Personally I would not shut him away from the bedroom area as they need to be able to go to the cool down areas if and when they need to, so they can self regulate their body temps.  
My little one is awake after getting her up from hibernation early, but she keeps going to her bed early. I let her do her own thing after I have bathed her, seen her feed and bask under the lamp for a while. Hope this helps until someone else can offer some advice
Jane, Keya & Molly

I agree with you Jane, as he was only born September he is likely to be quite small so its best to leave it until next year when you can monitor he weight gain over the coming year.

Mine are the same as yours too, I find Horsfields the worse breed for sensing the minutest of changes in weather conditions.  Most of my mine are hiding away I  bring them out to warm up but they just want to go straight back to their hide, often without eating, I just let them do their own thing. As Jane says dont block off their hide let him decide where he wants to go, as long as your temps are ok your doing ok!

Regards Vivienne

Hi Jane,

Thanks for the reply...most helpful. My temps are 30 under the lamp, about 20 away from the lamp and about 17-18 in his sleeping area. I believe they're okay but let me know if I'm wrong.

Thanks again.

Mike J

Thanks Vivienne.....much appreciated.

Hi Mike
They are just perfect
Jane