Guide to hibernating Mediterranean and Horsfield's tortoises

Abstract

<jats:p><jats:bold>Background:</jats:bold> Hibernation is encouraged for healthy Mediterranean and Horsfield’s tortoises. A controlled hibernation is essential to reduce posthibernation complications or deaths. Suboptimal husbandry before hibernation and incorrect hibernation techniques may increase the risk of posthibernation complications.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Aim of the article:</jats:bold> This article provides a guide to hibernating Mediterranean and Horsfield’s tortoises, covering the prehibernation, hibernation and posthibernation periods, and also outlines how to address any complications.</jats:p>

Risk factors influencing brumation success in captive tortoises in the United Kingdom

“…12 The generally accepted length for brumation of captive Testudo species is 10-12 weeks, with up to 14 weeks recommended for Testudo horsfieldii. 3 Six tortoises in our study were brumated for less than 1 month and all these survived brumation, although overall there was no statistically significant association between survival post-brumation and brumation length. Evidence base for the age at which tortoises should be brumated is lacking; however, in the wild, hatchlings and juveniles will undergo brumation from their first year as ambient temperatures decrease.…”

“…The duration of brumation in the wild varies between species, depending on their country and region of origin. 3 There is little scientific evidence in the literature relating to brumation in wild or captive chelonians and most of the existing literature in wild animals relates to the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). [4][5][6] The function and necessity of brumation for captive chelonians is not fully understood and most information comes from anecdotal sources and personal experience.…”

“…[4][5][6] The function and necessity of brumation for captive chelonians is not fully understood and most information comes from anecdotal sources and personal experience. 3 Brumation is thought to be advantageous by facilitating a reduction of metabolism during a time of the year with few resources. It is suggested that bru-mation can be an important trigger for reproduction in many temperate species 1,7,8 and can utilise excess body reserves of fat and establish natural development of body weight and size.…”

“…It is suggested that bru-mation can be an important trigger for reproduction in many temperate species 1,7,8 and can utilise excess body reserves of fat and establish natural development of body weight and size. 3 Brumation can however carry risks and brumationrelated health problems are reported to be common in chelonians. One study looking at T. graeca and T. hermanni species imported into the United Kingdom showed a 23-29% annual mortality rate over the 4year study period, with brumation and brumationassociated conditions responsible for 84.5% of those deaths in tortoises.…”

“…11 In recent years, the use of a fridge or a chiller has become a recommended brumation method due to the ability to closely control temperature and monitor the tortoise. 3 The aim of this study was to evaluate brumation methods being used for pet tortoises in the United Kingdom and to identify potential risk factors for mortality and post-brumation morbidity.…”