Russian sleeper w/ heating pad.

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Posted by John Baldwin on January 23, 1999 at 04:35:12:

In Reply to: sleepie time posted by Kyra on January 21, 1999 at 15:34:59:

Kyra:

You haven't mentioned the Winter temperature in your state.

Here in Conn., my Russian is hibernating in an environment of 45 degrees, haven't seen her in 8 weeks. In October/November (60 degrees) she would occassionally eat abundantly, then sleep for approx. 2 weeks and wake up eating again. To accomodate her waking state, I keep her terrarium at 80 degrees w/ a "hot rock", a Vitalight flourescent bulb, and a pair of ordinary 100 watt bulbs.

To accomodate her hibernation, which has gone on every Winter since 1988, I unplug all the appliances and drape a blanket over the terrarium, knowing that the temperature will drop below 50 degrees in the kitchen corner where the tank is. From this perspective, a heating pad in the turtle house is a controversial choice.

All I can say is that my tortois "Molly" eats ravenously before taking an occasional, extended snooze during this time of the year. When she wakes up hungry she will literally beg for food, eyeballing me when I make my breakfast.

Kyra, you may want to review some of the Q&A posted earlier regarding Wintering of hibernating tortoises. A one or two week nap may not be a problem.

Russians are very durable and a good choice for a pet. All you have to do is keep an eye on the turtle pen and after a year or two you will understand her habbits better than the "experts". ......Just be patient and consider the fact that your turtle can easily become your lifelong pal.

Best,

JohnBaldWN@aol.com

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: : Kyra: : You haven't mentioned the Winter temperature in your state. : Here in Conn., my Russian is hibernating in an environment of 45 degrees, haven't seen her in 8 weeks. In October/November (60 degrees) she would occassionally eat abundantly, then sleep for approx. 2 weeks and wake up eating again. To accomodate her waking state, I keep her terrarium at 80 degrees w/ a "hot rock", a Vitalight flourescent bulb, and a pair of ordinary 100 watt bulbs. : To accomodate her hibernation, which has gone on every Winter since 1988, I unplug all the appliances and drape a blanket over the terrarium, knowing that the temperature will drop below 50 degrees in the kitchen corner where the tank is. From this perspective, a heating pad in the turtle house is a controversial choice. : All I can say is that my tortois "Molly" eats ravenously before taking an occasional, extended snooze during this time of the year. When she wakes up hungry she will literally beg for food, eyeballing me when I make my breakfast. : Kyra, you may want to review some of the Q&A posted earlier regarding Wintering of hibernating tortoises. A one or two week nap may not be a problem. : Russians are very durable and a good choice for a pet. All you have to do is keep an eye on the turtle pen and after a year or two you will understand her habbits better than the "experts". ......Just be patient and consider the fact that your turtle can easily become your lifelong pal. : : Best, : JohnBaldWN@aol.com

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