Is my tortoise hibernating? What are the signs of healthy hibernation?

Hi and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach, It is normal for this species to hibernate when it gets cold. This in itself should not be a problem; however, if Creek is unwell for any reason then it is better to keep him active by providing a warm environment throughout the winter. This would ensure that his immune system continues to function properly. A yearly veterinary health check just before it gets cold could help you decide whether or not to let him hibernate.

Do not hibernate her this year. Keep her enclosure temperature between 20 C and 27 C. Provide a basking area of about 32 C with UVB lighting. Provide food and vitamin/mineral supplementation as well as several baths weekly.

If Corny is kept indoors year round, hibernation is not necessary. Greek tortoises from the South typically do not hibernate, while their northern counterparts do hibernate. He or she will not die without hibernation. Most do quite well without it. If you plan on hibernating Corny, consider a physical exam to confirm good health and adequate weight. You will then need to fast him or her for 3-6 weeks prior to hibernation. You will need to monitor weight during hibernation as well.

First of all if he is in the house, then he is most likely dead as it is too warm to go into hibernation. If he is outside it's not easy to tell, at least not in the beginning, eventually you will know as you will see him start to decompose after a few days of being dead, it will start smelling as well.

No, please keep your turtle in an appropriate environment with proper water, docking area, basking light, UVB light, thermometer in water and under basking light, and feed mix of fresh vegetables, turtle food pellets, and live prey items. Do not attempt to “hibernate” a turtle in a blanket. This will most likely end up causing illness and maybe death.

He may have been hibernating/brumating. Continue with the daily soaks in warm water or a 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. Get him eating if he isn't already. If the behavior persists, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose illness.

Thanks for reaching out about Oj. To prevent hibernation, you must keep the environmental temperature at the preferred optimal temperature zone range of 75-85 degrees. If allowed to cool but not hibernate, you are just shutting off the immune, digestion and other symptoms, allowing bacterial or parasitic diseases to proliferate unhindered. During this period of non-hibernation, Oj should continue to eat and be active, otherwise something is not correct. Photoperiod and exposure to UV radiation is important also. Decreased photoperiod and UV exposure stimulates hibernation patterns, so light periods and UV should be kept higher (like summer) to prevent hibernation. Good Luck.