Re: OK, here's my hibernation plan

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Tortoise Forum ]

Posted by Theresa on October 24, 2001 at 21:31:08:

In Reply to: OK, here's my hibernation plan posted by andy on October 24, 2001 at 19:03:29:

Hi your plan sound like a good one. Be sure to get some scales and then weigh your tort every couple of weeks when hibernating and listen to his breathing and then you can catch any probs early.
Im pasting some links on hibernation that may help to build you confidence a bit (so you wont pull your hair out with worry! :)
Also some ppl remove part of the isulation platic seal to insure that there is some air about. I have no knowledge of fridge hibernation so I cant vouch for styrofoam but think some comfy earthy smelling bedding couldnt hurt.
tcc :)

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/hints.html
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/safer.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~rednine/hiber.html
Audio Interview with director of Tortoise Trust USA, Darrell Senneke:
http://www.turtletimes.com/RealMedia/turtle_talk.htm

: OK, I think I've decided on what I'm going to do with my Russian Tortoise. I'm going to hibernate him in the fridge.

: I'm going to line the vegetable compartment with styrafoam for insulation. (You know what I'm talking about, those plastic drawers). I will fill that will alfalfa hay and some crumpled up newspaper, and place a digital thermometer inside. Over the course of a few weeks, I will make sure the fridge stays around 40 degrees F, give or take a couple degrees. The styrafoam should insulate the hibernation compartment against sudden but quick temperature changes (ie opening up the fridge).

: After a 2-4 week fasting period, Fritz will hibernate for 8 weeks. He isn't full grown, and this is my first time hibernating him, so I don't want to do a 12 week hibernation.

: What do you guys think? Is styrafoam a good insulator? Should I poke a couple holes in it?

: Fritz has a vet appointment on Friday. He seems quite active, healthy, and "fat" to me, but I want the vet to double check, just in case.

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: Hi your plan sound like a good one. Be sure to get some scales and then weigh your tort every couple of weeks when hibernating and listen to his breathing and then you can catch any probs early. : Im pasting some links on hibernation that may help to build you confidence a bit (so you wont pull your hair out with worry! :) : Also some ppl remove part of the isulation platic seal to insure that there is some air about. I have no knowledge of fridge hibernation so I cant vouch for styrofoam but think some comfy earthy smelling bedding couldnt hurt. : tcc :) : http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/hints.html : http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/safer.html : http://home.earthlink.net/~rednine/hiber.html : Audio Interview with director of Tortoise Trust USA, Darrell Senneke: : http://www.turtletimes.com/RealMedia/turtle_talk.htm : : OK, I think I've decided on what I'm going to do with my Russian Tortoise. I'm going to hibernate him in the fridge. : : I'm going to line the vegetable compartment with styrafoam for insulation. (You know what I'm talking about, those plastic drawers). I will fill that will alfalfa hay and some crumpled up newspaper, and place a digital thermometer inside. Over the course of a few weeks, I will make sure the fridge stays around 40 degrees F, give or take a couple degrees. The styrafoam should insulate the hibernation compartment against sudden but quick temperature changes (ie opening up the fridge). : : After a 2-4 week fasting period, Fritz will hibernate for 8 weeks. He isn't full grown, and this is my first time hibernating him, so I don't want to do a 12 week hibernation. : : What do you guys think? Is styrafoam a good insulator? Should I poke a couple holes in it? : : Fritz has a vet appointment on Friday. He seems quite active, healthy, and "fat" to me, but I want the vet to double check, just in case.

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Tortoise Forum ]