Russian tortoises are a hibernating species of tortoise. In captivity, Russian tortoises do not have to hibernate to maintain a healthy lifestyle. However if you do hibernate your pet Russian tortoise, it’s important to know safety precautions, as there are many risks associated with hibernation. A Russian tortoise can die in hibernation or because of hibernation complications.
When Do Russian Tortoises Hibernate
Naturally, Russian tortoises hibernate when the weather starts to drop between 50 and 64°F. Typically, they hibernate between October through March. When the weather begins to warm, they will start to wake up.
Complications Hibernating a Russian Tortoise
Depending on how you hibernate your Russian tortoise, the complications can vary. The most common risks when hibernating a tortoise in captivity include death, frostbite, respiratory infection, dehydration or other illness/infection.
If you choose to hibernate your pet tortoise, it is important to understand the risks and to preform a pre-hibernation check. Make sure that your tortoise is not otherwise sick or shows any signs of concerns.
Reasons for Death Caused by Hibernation
Because hibernation is very risky, there can be many causes of death during or due to hibernation.
The most common causes include:
Hibernating Outside
- Predators
- Weather extremes, like drastic dips in the temperature
Hibernating Inside
- Unstable temperatures, waking the tortoise up and putting it back into hibernation
General Hibernation Problems
- Dehydration
- Temperature shock – sudden changes in temperature
- Infection or illness that the body cannot fight due to a suppressed immune system
- Illness prior to starting hibernation
- Post-hibernation anorexia
Temperature Shock
Temperature shock is a common reason your Russian tortoise may die because of hibernation complications. This actually applies for any hibernating tortoise species.
Temperature shock can occur during hibernation or while waking up a hibernating tortoise. Essentially, it is the sudden change in temperatures. For example, if the tortoise is outside, a sudden dip in the temperature can cause the tortoise to die. However, when inside, if using a refrigerator, the fridge can warm and then cool again, and this change can also cause temperature shock.
It is important when hibernating a Russian tortoise to ensure stable temperatures. And, when waking up a hibernating tortoise, you do so SLOWLY. Increase the temperature a few degrees at a time. Although it will take up to several days to properly wake up your tortoise, it will reduce the risks of death.
Wake a Tortoise from Hibernation
In order to safely wake up a tortoise, you want to increase the temperature a few degrees at a time. Some people take weeks to safely wake up a hibernating tortoise.
If you hibernated your tortoise in a refrigerator, you will want to slowly increase the temperature inside the fridge.
DO NOT take a refrigerated tortoise and immediately place it in a hot enclosure. Ideally, avoid taking a tortoise out of a cold fridge and putting it in room temperature.
Avoid ANY sudden changes in the temperature.
