Preparing for winter

[KQ6AR]

My outdoor Russian tortoises have been eating very little the last few weeks. They do this about this time every year, in preparation for hibernation.
If you're outdoor tortoises aren't eating this might be whats happening. If you're indoor tortoises have stopped eating, you might need to increase the time the UV light runs.

 My Marginatas are still eating.

[cjicollectibles]

Do indoor torts have any way of telling the season?

[KQ6AR]

It seems that some do. It might depend on how long they have been in captivity indoors, are they near a window, is the temp in the house dropping at night, etc.

[steeley]

are they still active or are they slowing down as well,i have 4 that are eating very little but one is still very active,2 get up every other day,the fourth has been a sleep for 8 weeks now but he wakes up in october and eats like mad untill december then hibbernates for 9 weeks.They live outside in a heat hutch with access to the garden.

[KQ6AR]

Last week or two, Only the one male, & 1 female have been going out on a daily basis.
The other 12 or so young adults have been staying in their hides. When mine start to hibernate they won't get up until mid February.

[ChiKat]

If you're indoor tortoises have stopped eating, you might need to increase the time the UV light runs.

Great reminder!  Thanks Dan.
Nelson hasn't been eating as much as usual lately- I forgot about increasing the time the UV light is on.  What would you recommend- 14 hours on?

[KQ6AR]

14 is the number most people use if they start getting too inactive.

[ChiKat]

Great, thanks!  I just replaced his bulb AND changed the times on his timer- he should be back to his crazy self in no time