Hibernation, sometimes referred to as brumation, is a vital part of the natural life cycle for many tortoise species. This adaptation allows tortoises to survive cold weather by significantly reducing their metabolic rate. However, it's crucial to understand that not all tortoises hibernate, and improper hibernation can be dangerous.
Understanding Hibernation
Hibernation/brumation is an adaptation used by many species around the world, including many tortoise species, to survive cold weather. Like all poikilotherms (cold-blooded), tortoises are unable to produce their own body heat. As the temperatures outside fall their metabolism slows. Hibernation is natural and recommended for healthy tortoises. However, it’s extremely important to point out that not all tortoise species can or do hibernate. Before you prepare your pet for hibernation make sure to establish that it will hibernate.
Species That Do Not Hibernate
It's important to note that certain tortoise species, particularly those from tropical and African climates, do not hibernate. These include:
- Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis)
- Red-Footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria)
- Yellow-Footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis denticulata)
- Sulcata Tortoise (Geochelone sulcata)
- Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata)
These tortoises should be kept warm year-round, especially during winter. If the temperature drops too low, they may become sluggish, which can lead to health issues.
As a general rule of thumb, Mediterranean tortoises do hibernate, and tropical species don’t hibernate.
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Tortoise hibernation | A detailed guide to hibernating your tortoise
Preparing Your Tortoise for Hibernation
While hibernation is natural and healthy, sick tortoises should never be allowed to hibernate. For a sick individual, hibernation can be seriously dangerous and potentially deadly. To survive hibernation a tortoise needs good fat and water reserves. Sick tortoises often aren’t eating well and thus not storing the energy they’ll need for successful hibernation. In addition, a tortoise’s immune system slows during hibernation. Before hibernation every tortoise should be examined by a qualified veterinarian to assure they are healthy. Your veterinarian will check for signs of infection (i.e. runny nose or eyes, coughing, respiratory difficulty, etc.) and assess their body condition. We strongly recommend an annual pre-hibernation exam between late August and mid September to ensure that your turtle or tortoise is healthy and ready for hibernation. Once your pet has passed their physical exam, it’s time to prepare them for hibernation.
Pre-Hibernation Check-Up
Before hibernation every tortoise should be examined by a qualified veterinarian to assure they are healthy. Your veterinarian will check for signs of infection (i.e. runny nose or eyes, coughing, respiratory difficulty, etc.) and assess their body condition. We strongly recommend an annual pre-hibernation exam between late August and mid September to ensure that your turtle or tortoise is healthy and ready for hibernation.
Monitoring and Adjusting Diet
Monitor your tortoise closely as fall approaches. Usually starting in late September or early October, as the nights start to cool into the 60s, you will notice your outdoor tortoise becoming less active. At this time stop feeding your tortoise any supplemental produce (i.e. Kale, Lettuces, Collard Greens, etc.). Allowing them to eat non-produce and natural or environmental foods is harmless as they typically stop eating before hibernation as part of the cycle anyway.
Hydration
During this time it is important to soak your tortoise once weekly in a shallow container. This will help them to buildup water reserves and stimulate them to empty their bladder and bowels.
Creating a Suitable Hibernaculum
As the temperatures continue to drop it will stimulate your tortoise to seek a hibernaculum, an appropriate shelter in which to hibernate. You can provide one by creating and constructing an artificial burrow to insulate the tortoise from the cold and protect them from getting wet. Adding hay or straw into the burrow can further increase the insulation.
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Temperature Monitoring
Most tortoises will hibernate once ground temperatures remain at or below 50°F degrees. An easy way to monitor ground temperatures is by using a simple kitchen thermometer stuck into the soil of your tortoise’s burrow. It is important to make sure ground temperatures do not exceed 60 degrees for an extended period of time, as these warmer temperatures will cause your tortoise to burn through its fat reserves too quickly. Ground temperatures below 39°F degrees are also dangerous and can result in tissue and eye damage and death.
Regular Checks During Hibernation
It is very important to check your tortoise occasionally, at least once a month, to make sure hibernation is going well. While checking your tortoise it is also important to make sure they have not urinated. A tortoise’s urinary bladder actually serves as their water storage during hibernation. If you notice your tortoise has urinated they will need to be rehydrated. If not they will easily become dehydrated. Warm your tortoise to room temperature slowly and then allow them to soak themselves in shallow water to drink. Before cooling them down again and returning them to their burrow, be aware that urination can be a sign they are remaining active within their burrow.
Indoor Hibernation
Hibernating tortoises indoors can be tricky, whenever possible hibernating them outdoors naturally is recommended. Tortoises will not go into hibernation unless the temperatures in the environment cue them to do so. When hibernation outside is not an option, place your tortoise inside in an insulated box and keep him in a part of the house or garage that stays between 50 and 65°F. If it is much warmer, your tortoise may not be able to hibernate properly and become ill. If it drops much below 40°F, your tortoise runs the risk of damage from the cold temperatures.
Simulating Hibernation with a Refrigerator
Alternatively, indoor tortoises you can simulate the drop in outdoor temperatures to initiate hibernation utilizing a refrigerator. Slowly lower the temperature until you reach hibernation temperatures. Check on your tortoise periodically. Soak it in a room temperature shallow water bath for 15 minutes every 4-6 weeks to prevent dehydration.
Duration and Temperature Considerations
Most tortoise will hibernate for 4-6 months. If the temperature is much above 60°F, the desert tortoise may be active and use up its energy stores too quickly. If the temperature is much colder, the desert tortoise may develop health problems.
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The rate at which a tortoise uses energy during hibernation is temperature dependent. Energy consumption is minimal when the temperature is in the range 4-6 degrees Celsius.
Waking Up Your Tortoise
If you do need to bring your tortoise out of hibernation, warm them slowly to room temperature, do not warm them quickly. When the days begin to warm, the tortoise will become active in its storage box around March or April. At this time, a warm bath should be given, and the tortoise will often take a long steady drink. Now it’s time to put him in his outside habitat. Within a week or two, he should resume his normal eating, exercising, and basking activity.
Key Considerations
- Health is Paramount: Never allow a sick, injured, or underweight tortoise to hibernate.
- Age Matters: Hibernation can be risky for tortoises under two years of age.
- Predator Protection: Protect your sleeping tortoise from rodents, raccoons, and ants.
