Not all tortoises hibernate, but Russian tortoises are a hibernating species. You do not have to let your tortoise brumate during the winter months, but if you choose to, it’s important that you know how to safely hibernate a Russian tortoise.
Outdoor Hibernation
Some keepers leave their tortoises outside to naturally hibernate. This can be a safe option if the enclosure is already predator-proof and protection from rain and weather extremes. Ideally, the weather will not fluctuate too much.
When deciding if you want to try letting your tortoise brumate outside, you want to keep an eye on the temperature and know your typical winter weather. The night time low should be no colder than 19.4°F (-7°C), and the day time temperatures no warmer than 65°F (18.3°C).
If your temperatures fluctuate greatly, the climate is prone to winter rain or your winter weather dips colder than 19°F at night, you should consider indoor hibernation options.
Indoor Hibernation
The hibernation process should start in the fall when the weather naturally starts to cool off. This eliminates extreme temperature drops. You will slowly decrease the temperature.
Limit Food Intake
For about two to four weeks before hibernation, begin reducing the amount of food you offer the Russian tortoise to no food. Tortoises should not have any food in their stomachs at the beginning of hibernation. It can take up to two weeks or a little longer to fully discharge any food in the intestines and stomach, so fasting is a must during this period.
Because digestion slows to a near stop, you want the belly and intestines to be empty. To ensure this, you’ll want to soak the Russian tortoise in warm water. This will keep the tortoise hydrated, as well as help the body empty the food in the body… Essentially, the warm water will cause the tortoise to poop. Repeat this multiple times to ensure the Russian tortoise is empty.
Set Up a Container
Set a plastic container with peat moss, coconut coir, or top soil. This is where the tortoise will sit.
Place that container in another container (cardboard box or a plastic bin) and insulate in-between the two containers. Use newspaper or Styrofoam to insulate between the two containers. The larger box should have air holes to have a direct path for air to flow into the smaller box. This insulated box setup will help keep the temperatures consistent, but to be sure, use a digital thermometer with a probe to monitor the temperature where the Russian tortoise is hibernating.
Put the container away from other pets.
Refrigerate the Tortoise
Some keepers who hibernate their tortoises will use a new refrigerator with a reliable thermostat that will maintain temperatures between 39-41°F (4-5°C). You’ll want to open the fridge door once a day for fresh air. Use a thermometer to ensure that the temperatures inside the refrigerator do not fluctuate.
Too low temperature and the tortoise can die. Too high temperatures, the tortoise can come out of hibernation. Then if the temperatures drop, the tortoise can die, especially if the temperature dips quickly.
When Not to Hibernate a Russian Tortoise
If your Russian tortoise has any sign of illness, you do not want to hibernate it.
The biggest factor you’ll likely notice, other than the obvious of unusual discharge, abscesses and low weight. You’ll want to keep a close eye on your tortoise’s weight prior to making the decision to allow hibernation. If the Russian tortoise hasn’t been eating enough or its fat reserves are not adequate, it may not make it through the cold months. You want to keep the tortoise awake with a warm indoor enclosure and plenty of food. You can allow a shorter sleep period or a few weeks if you can bring up the weight.
Overall, if the Russian tortoise’s immune system is not working at 100%, hibernation will only increase the risks of infection, internal damage, liver failure, dehydration and death.
Pre-Hibernation Health Check
Before hibernating a Russian tortoise, check the following:
- Eyes: Look for signs of swelling, inflammation or discharge
- Nose: Look for discharge
- Tail: Look for inflammation or internal infection (leak from the tail or a smell)
- Shell: Look for fluid under the shell, soft areas or bad-smelling areas
- Legs: Look for unusual lumps or swollen areas
- Ears: Look for a flat, slightly concave membrane over the ear.
- Inside the Mouth: Look for any signs of abnormality
How Old Should My Tortoise Be Before Hibernating?
It is not necessary to hibernate a tortoise that is under five years old or one that is still growing. However, some people believe in hibernating tortoises are early as one year old.
Some claim hibernating too early can cause health problems, like metabolic bone disease and stunted growth. Whereas others believe that hibernating tortoises young will allow growth to occur at a correct rate.
If you are not confident in hibernating a young Russian tortoise, then don’t! It’s better to not attempt hibernation if you are unsure.
