Sleeping Horsfield!

[JackieL]

Our 5 year old horsfield has been sleepy for many weeks now, I understand he is winding down as the temperatures have dropped.

My only concern really is should I just let him sleep and not disturb him or should I keep waking him? Something tells me I shouldn't mess with nature and leave him to do his own thing, the other part of me is worrying.

I woke him yesterday, bathed him, he pooped, offered him some dusted weeds, no interest, he just went straight back to his sleeping quarters!

I have tried upping the temps, his UVB is only a few months old, he is bright, eyes are fine, he has lost a couple of grams since he has been down which is understandable with the lack of eating.

So what would you experts advise ?

[Bindi]

Do you intend hibernating him Jackie?

[JackieL]

Originally Posted by Bindi

Do you intend hibernating him Jackie?

No not really, I don't feel confident enough and I have only had him 5 months or so, what would you do ?

[Bindi]

Can you remind us what your set up is like Jackei?

Lights, temps, warm end cool end etc.

also, what are his overnight temps like?

[JackieL]

Originally Posted by Bindi

Can you remind us what your set up is like Jackei?

Lights, temps, warm end cool end etc.

also, what are his overnight temps like?

Sure,

He's in a tort table, I will include some pictures for you. Temps under his basking spot are 30*/32*, he is on top soil, overnight temps are around 65*/68* I plan on adding some additional heat by means of a ceramic heat emitter when the Winter finally kicks in.

He is in our Lounge and our place is never cold!!





These are the most recent pictures I have of his tort table.

Edit : I removed the geranium on the advise it wasn't suitable!

[Bindi]

Is the top of the hide removable Jackie? That's quite a large hide and I'm thinking if there was a bit more light over the table it might brighten it up a bit.

Your temps sound fine, but you could always try upping them a couple of degrees, I think it's a case of tweaking his set up to see if it makes him more active.

The corner furthest away from his basking light looks a little dark (may just be the photo) is there any way you cold add another light? Maybe an old UV tube?

[JackieL]

Originally Posted by Bindi

Is the top of the hide removable Jackie? That's quite a large hide and I'm thinking if there was a bit more light over the table it might brighten it up a bit.

Your temps sound fine, but you could always try upping them a couple of degrees, I think it's a case of tweaking his set up to see if it makes him more active.

The corner furthest away from his basking light looks a little dark (may just be the photo) is there any way you cold add another light? Maybe an old UV tube?

Yes the hide is removable and it is rather large and rather dark. I have thought about removing it before, but as he started using it I thought better of it.

If he is deciding to sleep, why is it best not to just let him sleep in your opinion ?

[JackieL]

We have upped his temps and tried to tweak things as you suggest, to be perfectly honest it makes no difference !

He knows the temperatures outside have dropped and won't be fooled otherwise !

[ziggy's owner]

Who told you that plant wasn't suitable? My tortoises eat it and is ok to fed, some torts won't eat it cause of the smell

[JackieL]

Originally Posted by ziggy's owner

Who told you that plant wasn't suitable? My tortoises eat it and is ok to fed, some torts won't eat it cause of the smell

Really ?

I was advised wild geranium was suitable but not this variety !