my tortoise came out of hibernation

[wafflesmom]

Today is a good day!!! My 4 yr old russian tort came out of hibernation. This was her 2nd winter outside since I moved and had room for a outside area.
I was out on the deck when I saw her moving and had to go check her out. As soon as I said her name "Topaz" she popped her head out

It amazes me how she comes out from hibernation and she's bigger. Here's some pics I snapped of her.

 

[Kent67]

It amazes me how she comes out from hibernation and she's bigger.

Yeah! I just took my trio of California desert tortoises out of hibernation yesterday and they did seem bigger. I thought it was my imagination! Congrats on another successful hibernation.

 

[wafflesmom]

Congrats on yours too!!! Got any pics?

We had a rough winter this year with the most frozen days and snow that AL has seen in a long time. Not to mention the rain!! My half acre pond has been dry since I moved in 4 yrs ago and it's has about 8 feet in it. Her enclosure is dug down 2-4 feet(on a slight hill) and lined with wire. It's like 10 ft by 15 ft. She didn't come out this muddy last year which makes me think she got some of the rain.

 

[gary1621]

OMG is she only four years old? Or have you only had her four years?

Flu, our Horsfield/Russian is at least 15 years old. I've had her 14 of them and she isnt much bigger then your lovely Topaz.

She hasnt hibernated once since we've owned her, that could be part of the reason. She has long sleeps during the winter but never longer then a month. The first couple of years she woke up while in the shed and we felt so bad that we never left her out there again.
Flu is a house tort, she has free range of downstairs and the garden. She knocks on the door to be let out and to be let back in. Its quite cute, and she head butts your feet when you are at the kitchen table and she wants feeding.

 

[wafflesmom]

Yep, she's 4. I got her as a hatchling. The 1st 2 yrs, she lived indoors in a bookshelf that we laid on it's back. Her 2nd year, she hibernated in my attic with all my snakes.
Once she's clean, I'll have to get a pic of her b/c she's got nice yellows in her shell or atleast she did before. I assume it hasn't changed.

Is yours female? I can't remember but thinking males are smaller? With my false maps, and southern painted turtle, the males are alot smaller. I had an older male russian that was a rescue, that I sent on to California. When I got him, he was smaller than she is now. The males have long tails that they carry to the side.

 

[PantherVeileD]

nice tortoise!! Thats one huge russian tortoise i've seen! Looks good, I like!!!
I've been looking for my first tortoise for about two weeks now. Couldn't decide which species to get. Actually I'm getting two tomorrow and can't wait!!

 

[Kent67]

Congrats on yours too!!! Got any pics?

....She didn't come out this muddy last year which makes me think she got some of the rain.

That's really neat how muddy she got. Do you think it was safe where she was to have all that mud around her, though? They must experience similar conditions in the wild but I'd have been freaking out and probably would have dug them up. But, yeah, here's a few pics from last year. Today is supposed to be nice and warm so I'm hoping I can take them outside today in addition to the chams and will try to get some new pics later.

 

[pssh]

I really want a Russian tortoise... mother stays no though.

Kent, I love the second picture! It's cute

 

[wafflesmom]

What kind you getting?


Yes, I was wondering about the mud. I found her hole and put my arm in as far as I could reach. She dug towards to 4 ft side and her hole dropped off at the end. I don't think she was sitting in water, just got muddy going thru her tunnel. I think that b/c I had to dig a huge hole yesterday and after 2 ft it was dry.

 

[Kent67]

Kent, I love the second picture! It's cute

Thanks! To be honest, I was kind of shocked it turned out that well. lol

As for the tunnel, that makes sense. I was thinking back to when I was a kid we had a rabbit that burrowed at least 5 feet straight back under our patio. I assume the tunnel went off in other directions as well. We also had 4 box turtles that lived loose in the yard that would hibernate in that tunnel year after year, even as it flooded. Very cool!

 

[PantherVeileD]

I got a redfoot and burmese mountain tortoise today!

 

[wafflesmom]

Kent67, Nice pics and cute torts....love the 2nd one Pics didn't show up for me yesterday??

PantherVeileD, Yay, Congrats!! Pics??

Well, Topaz says she hates AL along with me! She came out Thursday and it was nice and warm until Saturday which was VERY nice out. Sunday was raining and cool. Woke up this morning to cold and snowing!!! She has gone back under. News just said tomorrow is suppose to be 60's and then 70's on Wed....just gonna confuse her.

Saturday I realized that either she came out earlier this year or things were off b/c my forsynthia(sp?) bush is in bloom and she got some flowers Sat....she LOVES them. Last year when she came out all the blooms were gone.

 

[PantherVeileD]

can't find my camera but I have a short vid to share.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHIJ53yn4k4

 

[wafflesmom]

Oh poo, can't do much youtube on laptop at home...not sure if it's the laptop or web stick?

 

[PantherVeileD]

ok lets see if this works...

 

[wafflesmom]

Yep, it worked good enough. Videos play and stop alot. Think it's the T-mobile webstick? It's my only internet option where I live other than dial up which I can't do!

They are cute torts!! The Petco in town has a redfoot. I so want it b/c that store is disgusting but they are asking way too much.

 

[dreamforthedead]

Wow so gorgeous, i want one.