Abigail DeSesa Ordway
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California Tortoise Trails Society, CTTC-SCV Chapter
January 14, 2021 at 12:15 PM ·
So, it is heating up for most of us. What do you do with a brumating species that isn't gonna be able to stay under 60 degrees F for a few days, or more, for many hours straight? This is the time to daily monitor of the tortoise and listen/look for any movement. It also is the time to do one of those precautionary soaks to make sure they are well hydrated. Remember, they are not sleeping like a hibernating mammal. You are not "waking" them up. They can easily go back under when the weather gets back to the usual. A few things to remember, do NOT feed them. You do not want to get something in there that can end up rotting. Water is the vital resource and can make all the difference surviving brumation, and the ups and downs of unstable weather. A soak should be done in the morning allowing the entire day for the tortoise to dry off. Can be placed back in brumation chamber late afternoon. If really active, don't bother putting back in brumation chamber. We have more warm days a head. The tortoise may need to spend a few days lounging around in it habitat before the weather cooperates. IF, and only IF, the tortoise eats a naturally growing item in its habitat like grass, weeds or leaves, that is up to the tortoise. Do not offer any grocery items and this is not the time of year to offer flowers either. Once the weather gets reasonable the tortoise will slow back down. Use best judgement on when to return to brumation chamber if you do have to have the shelled friend up for a few days. Monitor closely for the first few days again for noise/movement in the chamber. Hope this is helpful. Please keep things positive here as any negative comments will have to be removed. This can be a stressful time for a keeper of a brumating specie. Let's show support 🙂 (Photo just because it is cute - LOL)
January 14, 2021 at 12:15 PM ·
So, it is heating up for most of us. What do you do with a brumating species that isn't gonna be able to stay under 60 degrees F for a few days, or more, for many hours straight? This is the time to daily monitor of the tortoise and listen/look for any movement. It also is the time to do one of those precautionary soaks to make sure they are well hydrated. Remember, they are not sleeping like a hibernating mammal. You are not "waking" them up. They can easily go back under when the weather gets back to the usual. A few things to remember, do NOT feed them. You do not want to get something in there that can end up rotting. Water is the vital resource and can make all the difference surviving brumation, and the ups and downs of unstable weather. A soak should be done in the morning allowing the entire day for the tortoise to dry off. Can be placed back in brumation chamber late afternoon. If really active, don't bother putting back in brumation chamber. We have more warm days a head. The tortoise may need to spend a few days lounging around in it habitat before the weather cooperates. IF, and only IF, the tortoise eats a naturally growing item in its habitat like grass, weeds or leaves, that is up to the tortoise. Do not offer any grocery items and this is not the time of year to offer flowers either. Once the weather gets reasonable the tortoise will slow back down. Use best judgement on when to return to brumation chamber if you do have to have the shelled friend up for a few days. Monitor closely for the first few days again for noise/movement in the chamber. Hope this is helpful. Please keep things positive here as any negative comments will have to be removed. This can be a stressful time for a keeper of a brumating specie. Let's show support 🙂 (Photo just because it is cute - LOL)