International Tortoise Association UK

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Hibernation preparation
Hibernation is nearly upon us, your tortoise will be slowing down, this is normal. They will be less active and will be staying in their houses a lot more, and basking in the small amount of sunshine still available.
You will still need to offer them food until they are no longer eating, bathe them once a week in cool shallow water, they may not drink but will soak up water if needed through their cloaca (tail) to keep them hydrated, this will also help them clear out their system of any waste in readiness for hibernation. Check for wounds, any discharge from the nose or cloaca, and make sure they are safe in their houses over night away from any damp and harm.
This will continue for 2 / 3 weeks, maybe a little longer as the weather cools down until they do not come out any more or they have been put into hibernation.
If your tortoise is brought indoors for winding down, this is fine as long as they are kept cool, no heating or lights on during the daytime or nighttime.
If you are hibernating your tortoise yourself, you will need to check the temperature regularly and check your tortoise in case it wakes.
Your tortoise will hibernate safely at 4 / 5 degrees, if the temperature rises above 6/7 degrees your tortoise will start to wake but will be too cold to function.
If your tortoise wakes, you will need to put it into a vivarium with heating on and let it warm up then get it eating. It is not advisable to let it go back into hibernation; they usually wake because it is warming up or they have an underlying problem and may need help.

Hibernation dates and times for 2025 / 2026 are as below.