I've been looking for videos on how to hibernate a Russian properly ( I'm in southern California so I don't hibernate my boy) but it's always good to know
Help!!!! Recently received a 20 year old Russian hinge back tortoise. She was kept free range in a secure yard all summer. When the temp dropped here in NY I brought her in. The previous owner used a heating pad set under part of the cage for warmth and a UVB light. Recently she has been found laying in her water dish. The water is cold. She stays in a long time. Not sure what is going on. Is it normalfor them to do this?
I have some questions that I am confused on 1. Do hatchlings and yearling get hibernated as well or just adults 2. Watch should the temperature be for hibernation 3. If you don't use a refrigerator,what else should you use
+Chris Allen 1) you can, but I wouldn't just to be safe. I'd wait until they're 3-4 years old. 2) 40-45 degrees is what I've always used as it's the temp a 4-6 foot burrow in their wild environment would be at during their hibernation period. 3) Matt Rand used a small stock tank filed with sand and topsoil to a depth of 3 feet he kept in his garage in Minnesota that stayed at around 40 degrees in the winter, so that could work. Basically anything where they can bee in an enclosed area with a temp of 40-45 and no ability for any predator (rats and mice will chew on them while their hibernating and cause all kinds of physical damage) to get at them. 4) You will have more breeding success if you do hibernate them because your keeping their normal cycle intact. When they come out of hibernation they start looking for mates. And it keeps them lean and mean vs. fat, since they go without food for 2 months.
I am in MI & considered the garage thing but worry if it falls below or above suggested 40°-45° range. I may consider the fridge thing. I may even wait a year since this is my first reptile & I have only had Littlefoot, my Russian tortoise for 4 months. I don’t want to kill him lol.
I have had my pair for years and have never hibernated. I am very worried about starting that now. Please can you advise? Also my male has really long nails. should I clip them? Thanks for you videos
If you haven't hibernated over that time frame, don't bother. Unless they are long enough that they alter his normal walking gate, I won't trim them. I've never trimmed mine over the 18+ years I've had my group.
I have a question, i've been doing research and I noticed that there's a big controversy about whether you should hibernate them or not. Due to personal reasons I chose not to but do I just do the opposite of the steps to hibernate them or do I just continue doing my normal routine?
They will slow down this time of the year, so the normal routine might be interrupted by them deciding to bury themselves in the pen or just hide as their natural instinct is very strong.
Just open it 3-4 times a week for 30 seconds or so and that's all they need because their respiration slows down significantly when hibernating. Worked fine for me for 16, now 17 years.
Ive never bred any kind of Tortoise. Over the years mostly ball pythons, a few geckos, and some corn snakes. For the most part Ive never had to do anything like this, but again mostly snakes and geckos. Some slight temp drops, but thats about it.. I recently pick up a pair of these guys from a friend. Might be looking to give breeding them a shot in the future... Both are still to small to breed, but maybe in a few years. Thanks,
I have a Male Russian Tortoise I got from PetSmart, any ideas on where I can get a female? I've looked all over but I can't seem to find one at any store.
Google, what ever state you live in + reptile rescue. See if there is one that needs a home. Check the humane society or Craigslist too. It's not uncommon to find people re-homing tortoises. You should try to avoid getting pets from stores like that. Those places are known to abuse their animals and/or get them from the wild. If no one is buying them, hopefully they'll stop selling them.
They're in a state of sleep, so hunger isn't a factor. Their metabolism slows to the point they use a little of their stored fat reserves. Mine have never had a problem after 16 years of being hibernated from 2-4 months every year.
I've been looking for videos on how to hibernate a Russian properly ( I'm in southern California so I don't hibernate my boy) but it's always good to know
Just what I needed, cheers
Help!!!! Recently received a 20 year old Russian hinge back tortoise. She was kept free range in a secure yard all summer. When the temp dropped here in NY I brought her in. The previous owner used a heating pad set under part of the cage for warmth and a UVB light. Recently she has been found laying in her water dish. The water is cold. She stays in a long time. Not sure what is going on. Is it normalfor them to do this?
I have some questions that I am confused on
1. Do hatchlings and yearling get hibernated as well or just adults
2. Watch should the temperature be for hibernation
3. If you don't use a refrigerator,what else should you use
+Chris Allen 1) you can, but I wouldn't just to be safe. I'd wait until they're 3-4 years old. 2) 40-45 degrees is what I've always used as it's the temp a 4-6 foot burrow in their wild environment would be at during their hibernation period. 3) Matt Rand used a small stock tank filed with sand and topsoil to a depth of 3 feet he kept in his garage in Minnesota that stayed at around 40 degrees in the winter, so that could work. Basically anything where they can bee in an enclosed area with a temp of 40-45 and no ability for any predator (rats and mice will chew on them while their hibernating and cause all kinds of physical damage) to get at them. 4) You will have more breeding success if you do hibernate them because your keeping their normal cycle intact. When they come out of hibernation they start looking for mates. And it keeps them lean and mean vs. fat, since they go without food for 2 months.
I am in MI & considered the garage thing but worry if it falls below or above suggested 40°-45° range. I may consider the fridge thing. I may even wait a year since this is my first reptile & I have only had Littlefoot, my Russian tortoise for 4 months. I don’t want to kill him lol.
great video
Sorry about the late response, I've been out of town a few weeks. Thanks!
I have had my pair for years and have never hibernated. I am very worried about starting that now. Please can you advise? Also my male has really long nails. should I clip them? Thanks for you videos
If you haven't hibernated over that time frame, don't bother. Unless they are long enough that they alter his normal walking gate, I won't trim them. I've never trimmed mine over the 18+ years I've had my group.
How long do you hybernate them for? I have a russian male about 5-7 years old
I started them at a month and all five are up to 3 months now and have been for 15+ years. Make sure they are in tip top health!
@@RussianTortoiseInfo now do you hybernate them for a more naturalist lifestyle? Or is it more for breeding purposes?
@@The.juan.fernandez I think he does it for both reasons, he says it keeps them in their nature cycle and makes them more breedable.
So they won't suffocate?
I have a question, i've been doing research and I noticed that there's a big controversy about whether you should hibernate them or not. Due to personal reasons I chose not to but do I just do the opposite of the steps to hibernate them or do I just continue doing my normal routine?
They will slow down this time of the year, so the normal routine might be interrupted by them deciding to bury themselves in the pen or just hide as their natural instinct is very strong.
So no worry of lack of oxygen in the fridge? I see you vent it a few times a week. What about in between door openings?
Just open it 3-4 times a week for 30 seconds or so and that's all they need because their respiration slows down significantly when hibernating. Worked fine for me for 16, now 17 years.
Ive never bred any kind of Tortoise. Over the years mostly ball pythons, a few geckos, and some corn snakes. For the most part Ive never had to do anything like this, but again mostly snakes and geckos. Some slight temp drops, but thats about it.. I recently pick up a pair of these guys from a friend. Might be looking to give breeding them a shot in the future... Both are still to small to breed, but maybe in a few years. Thanks,
I have a Male Russian Tortoise I got from PetSmart, any ideas on where I can get a female? I've looked all over but I can't seem to find one at any store.
Finding them is tough. but check kingsnake.com classified ads for Russians. There are usually 3-4 people in the US who will have females available.
Google, what ever state you live in + reptile rescue. See if there is one that needs a home. Check the humane society or Craigslist too. It's not uncommon to find people re-homing tortoises. You should try to avoid getting pets from stores like that. Those places are known to abuse their animals and/or get them from the wild. If no one is buying them, hopefully they'll stop selling them.
I’m new with tortoises and I got mine when it should of been hibernating is it ok to skip one year of hibernation?
Mines a Russian he started not eating and sleeping a lot I’m not gonna hibernate him because I think I don’t need to
how many times have you done this?
Forgot one
4. Is this only for breeding
I am very new at tortoises
Hey wouldn't it kill them since they wouldn't be eating..
They're in a state of sleep, so hunger isn't a factor. Their metabolism slows to the point they use a little of their stored fat reserves. Mine have never had a problem after 16 years of being hibernated from 2-4 months every year.
41,2
40-45
2-3months and 1/3 substrate
2 weeks very hood food and then 2 weeks nothing
Weight them! So u know if they lost weight during
thx i really waant to start breeding them
Yeaaaaaa you do 😗😗
Do you half to hibernate them
Marielise Kelly No, but it will extend their lifespan.