Breeding

[herplove]

Hello everyone.Herplove here.I have one 6" male RT and one 5" female RT.I was looking to breed.
I"ve seen alot of mating behavior out of my male, head bobing, sniffing, nibling ,ramming, and mounting once.No mating though .Here in America, were very close to fall, so I'm not expecting any mating then.But what I'm hoping is to have them mating by spring, 2011, my first clutch by fall, 2011.
I keep them indoors.I was wanting some advice on how to instigate breeding by indoor hibernation,
or if there be no instegation necsasary at all.Just normal conditions.Any advice is very much apreciated.
Wish me luck with my breeding projects!

[cjicollectibles]

I have mine indoors hoping to breed also. Dont know the answers to your questions, but was thinking, since they are INDOORS, seems to me they dont really know the seasons, and wouldnt they be just as likely to breed in winter?

[KQ6AR]

They won't require instigation, when they're ready they will do it. Many people breed indoor tortoises successfully.

[herplove]

Thank you, both of you and others to come.This helps me MUCH. 
By the way, good question CjiCollectibles.I was and still am wondering the same thing?

[Jay.j]

my tortoises live indoors, though they do come out in the garden on sunny days when I'm home to keep an eye on them, and I have just had my first hatchling. Though my tortoises are indoors they do know when winter is coming and deff get less active come late September, some hibernate and some don't I usually leave it up to them to tell me what they want to do. last year they slept for 2/3 months then woke up. mind you last winter All of them were under 8 years old. not sure what my new(ish) 20 year female will do... I intend to email her old owner & ask if he used to hibernate her. Anyway the point of this long rambling response is that yes indoor torts are often aware of the changing seasons outside so it is bound to affect possible breeding. Though, as I think some one already said, (I've been rambling on so long I can't remember  ) you can adjust there perception of the seasons with artifical lighting etc... I've never tried this though so can't give you first hand how effective this is with regards to breeding.
Ok I'll shut up now... 

[KQ6AR]

Hey Jay,
 If you're indoor tortoises are hibernating, & not kept cold enough, they will be burning through their fat reserves quickly.

[herplove]

KQ6AR, What is a good tempature to keep them at during indoor hibernation?
Also, Jay.j and cjicolectibles, I thought they knew the seasons instinctualy
and horemonely.I guess I was correct.And I guess you do artifacialy manipulate the
seasons with indoor tortoises.Thank you all very much and others to come!

[KQ6AR]

Colder than you're house is probably kept. 40-45F. Some people use a refrigerator.
Personally if I keep a tortoise indoors for winter, I keep them warm, & awake.

[Jay.j]

Hey Jay,
 If you're indoor tortoises are hibernating, & not kept cold enough, they will be burning through their fat reserves quickly.

I have a Herp Nursery II, the one that you can make warm for incubation or cool for hibernation. Although I'm going to have to have a bit of a think about what I do this year as they won't all fit!

[jacklee]

Tortuga knows when its winter even when kept warm with a heated basking area. He goes to the end of the table away from the heat and sleeps. Once a week I would wake him up for a bath and he would warm under the light for awhile eat some then go back to his corner for another week. We did this every winter for the last five years. I always have fresh food for him throught the winter. Jack

[herplove]

Thank you all.KQ6AR, it just so happens that my garage during fall and winter stays around that temp.
Its unheated, but inselated.I live in northern Georgia,so are winters can be somewhat strong, but for the most part are mild.I guess if I do have a want to indoor hibernate them this year, I'll do that.
Thank you all and others to come! :)My torts are doing great.They are starting to calm down.
Im starting to feed them there fall feasts for there unactive period.

[go_fish]

jacklee - that is really interesting. I didn't know there was also a 'semi'hibernation' state, in which torts would slow down that much even in a warm place. Mine haven't slowed down at all yet...I wonder if they will do that.

Does anybody here use refrigerator hibernation? I am tempted, but a bit chicken to try it. And what do you guys feed your torts prior to hibernation? I heard torts purposefully in the wild choose twigs and oak leaves to clean out their system.

[Jay.j]

Does anybody here use refrigerator hibernation? I am tempted, but a bit chicken to try it. And what do you guys feed your torts prior to hibernation? I heard torts purposefully in the wild choose twigs and oak leaves to clean out their system.

I shall be popping mine in the fridge this year... this is a very good article that's on Joe's website... http://russiantortoise.net/hibernation_journey.htm