Tortoise Hibernation
Hibernation can be one of the most worrying times of the year for tortoise owners, particularly if it is your tortoise's first hibernation.
At HappyTortoises, we offer two different hibernation services depending on whether you would prefer us to take care of the entire process for you, or would like to hibernate your tortoise at home with our guidance and support.
When should I start preparing for hibernation?
Preparation should begin towards the end of August or early September.
Before hibernation, we recommend booking your tortoise in with a specialist reptile vet for:
A pre-hibernation health check
A faecal worm test
Treatment if worms or any other health problems are identified
Confirmation that your tortoise is fit and healthy enough to hibernate
This needs to be done a few months before wind-down period begins, particularly if any treatment is required.
Reserving a hibernation space with HappyTortoises
We start accepting reservations for our hibernation service from mid to late August each year.
You can book a space for your tortoise while you arrange their worm test and veterinary examination. Your booking will remain subject to your tortoise passing their pre-hibernation health check and receiving veterinary clearance to hibernate.
Spaces are limited, so we recommend reserving early rather than waiting until your tortoise is ready to begin wind-down.
Option 1: Let us hibernate your tortoise
HappyTortoises Hibernation Service
If you would rather take the worry out of hibernation, we can manage the entire process for you.
Your tortoise will stay with us throughout their wind-down, hibernation and controlled wake-up, with:
A personalised hibernation plan
Controlled fridge hibernation
Daily monitoring and weekly weigh-ins
A gradual, monitored wake-up period
The length of hibernation is tailored to your tortoise's age, species, health and previous hibernation experience.
Option 2: Hibernate at home with our guidance
HappyTortoises Guided Hibernation Service
If you would prefer to hibernate your tortoise at home but would like guidance and reassurance along the way, our Guided Hibernation Service supports you throughout the process.
You’ll receive:
A personalised hibernation plan
Guidance through wind-down, hibernation and wake-up
Help with monitoring weight and temperatures
Telephone support at key stages
You remain responsible for caring for and monitoring your tortoise at home, with our guidance throughout.
Worm testing before hibernation
A worm test is an important part of preparing your tortoise for hibernation and should ideally be carried out in late August or early September, allowing time for treatment if needed.
Our Tortoise Worm Count Test Kit allows you to collect a small sample at home and send it directly to a specialist laboratory for testing, with results sent to you by email.
Hibernating your tortoise at home?
If you choose to hibernate your tortoise at home, you can use either the fridge or box method. We offer purpose-built kits for both methods, which can also be used alongside our Guided Hibernation Service.
Fridge Hibernation Method
Our Fridge Hibernation Box contains the equipment needed to create a safe, monitored environment for fridge hibernation.
View the Fridge Hibernation Box
Box Hibernation Method
Our Tortoise Hibernation Box provides an insulated, monitored environment for the traditional box method and should be placed somewhere suitable where safe hibernation temperatures can be maintained.
Not all tortoises should hibernate
It is important to remember that not every tortoise species hibernates, and even a species that would normally hibernate should not be hibernated if the individual tortoise is not fit and healthy.
Tortoises that are underweight, unwell, recovering from illness or have unresolved health problems may need to be overwintered instead.
This is why we require a pre-hibernation veterinary examination and worm check before a tortoise enters our hibernation service or begins our Guided Hibernation programme.
If you're unsure whether your tortoise should hibernate, please contact us before making arrangements.
Preparing for hibernation – your yearly timeline
Mid–late August
Reserve your HappyTortoises hibernation space or decide whether you will be hibernating at home.
Late August–early September
Arrange a worm count and book your tortoise with a specialist reptile vet for their pre-hibernation health examination. This allows plenty of time for any treatment to be completed before hibernation.
September onwards
Complete any treatment advised by your vet and continue your tortoise's normal care while preparing for the forthcoming hibernation period.
Before wind-down begins with us
Your tortoise must be healthy and have been given the all-clear for hibernation from your vet. Please do not start winding your tortoise down yourself. Until your agreed drop-off date, your tortoise should be kept awake and warm, with their usual heat and UV lighting, and should continue to be fed, watered and bathed as normal. We will manage the complete wind-down process once your tortoise comes into our care.
November–February/March: Wind-down, hibernation & wake-up
Our hibernation season runs from November through to the end of February/early March.
For tortoises having the maximum hibernation period, the process will begin with wind-down in early November, followed by up to 12 weeks of hibernation, and a controlled wake-up period before collection.
Tortoises requiring a shorter hibernation will be allocated a suitable hibernation slot between November and January, subject to availability.
Once your place is confirmed, you will be given a personalised hibernation plan with your tortoise's exact drop-off, wind-down, hibernation, wake-up and collection dates, so you'll know exactly what to expect and when.