![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() However, if the environmental temperature drops too low then tortoises cannot complete their basic metabolic functions. Depending on their natural habitat and the environmental conditions in the wild, some species can go their whole lives without the need to hibernate. If you notice a tortoise wanting to drink a lot more as the temperatures drop, it could be that they are in the last stage of their hibernation process. The water intake of a tortoise preparing for hibernation will increase before they enter the den in a last attempt to empty their digestive system. Tortoises will dig a hole in preparation for the hibernation period however sometimes it will be stolen by another tortoise or even by another species of animal. It is very important for a hibernating tortoise to first look for a safe and secure area to complete their hibernation. You’re also a lot more likely to see more tortoise faeces and urates in areas that tortoises frequent as the temperatures begin to drop. It is common to see tortoises basking in the sunlight right up until the day of hibernation to stimulate their systems and produce any waste. They will defecate and urinate much more frequently in the time before their hibernation period. ![]() Emptying Their Systemįollowing on from our previous point, tortoises will empty their systems of any waste so as to maintain a healthy digestive tract. If there was food left in their stomach throughout hibernation, it would rot which could cause serious issues. Then, as the temperature drops, their appetite will decrease and they will slowly starve themselves, emptying their stomach of any food. Changes in AppetiteĪt first, a wild tortoise will eat more to ensure he is well hydrated and generate healthy energy stores within the body. This includes several things that you will likely also notice when preparing your tortoise for hibernation in captivity, too. In the wild, tortoises will detect the change in temperature and will naturally begin the process of preparing for hibernation. They will slow their metabolic processes down so much that it will seem like they are no longer alive. The process which tortoises undergo is not technically called hibernation but is something known as brumation. Tortoises need warmth to be able to complete their normal body functions and so when the temperature drops they are not able to generate the energy needed to survive. All of their metabolic processes slow down in an attempt to save energy and survive the winter their body keeps functioning but at incredibly slow rates to keep them alive until the environmental conditions are more favourable. When food is scarce, sunlight is limited, and the temperature drops, these animals need to hibernate in order to survive.Īlthough it may seem like a hibernating animal is asleep, it is not the kind of sleep that they would experience each night. Hibernation is a normal process that many wild animals undergo to avoid the cold weather. But what is tortoise hibernation and how do you make sure you do it safely? What is Hibernation? Hibernation is just one of the many things you need to consider as a tortoise owner. If you are a tortoise owner in the UK, you are probably aware that the conditions you provide for your exotic pets are very different to those that they will experience in the wild. ![]()
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