The body keeps functioning in a hibernating animal but at incredibly slow rates. This is thought to empty out the intestines so deadly bacteria can’t grow during the dormant cooling period. Especially since, even in the wild, if they can find enough warmth and food, they won't hibernate at all. Some keepers like to hibernate their tortoises to encourage natural behaviors that mimic situations in the wild. This seems like the best choice, if you ask us. Winter is the time when many species of turtle and tortoises will hibernate in the wild (actually the more correct term is "brumate", reptiles don't undergo the same physiological changes that occur when mammals hibernate). Hibernation underground – Which involves burying your tortoise underground close to the surface which is what a tortoise would do naturally in the wild. Some tortoises pretty much always brumate in the wild- Russian's, for example. Irregular hibernation will adversely affect the tortoise’s health and lifespan. Other tortoise types such as Desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) can also hibernate. Since they do prefer arid, sandy areas, it is not surprising that they can survive with very little water. They especially favor dandelions. Answer (1 of 1): Desert tortoises should be hibernating now and they do dig a burough where they can sleep un-interupted and safe from predators. This is what these tortoises are designed to do. Turtles usually stop eating 10-14 days before they actually begin to hibernate. These are Mediterranean tortoises, who due to their natural warmer climate will hibernate in the cooler winter weather. To hibernate or not to hibernate, that is the question… In the wild the vast majority of Mediterranean tortoises do hibernate over winter. Hibernation is basically a long, deep sleep to help an animal survive harsh winter conditions. So most will tell you that, if they don't do it in the wild when they have enough food/warmth, then theres no reason to do it in captivity without evidence to support the need. Technically, they don't hibernate, they 'brumate'. Outdoor or natural hibernation consists of allowing the tortoise to excavate its own burrow instead of hibernating it in a box under controlled conditions. Winter is the time when many species of turtle and tortoises will hibernate in the wild (actually the more correct term is "brumate", reptiles don't undergo the same physiological changes that occur when mammals hibernate). Its recommended to keep hatchlings up to three years old (or up to 100mm plastron length) awake during winter in a heated vivarium.
Many breeds of tortoise have hibernated in the wild for thousands of years, which means that modern tortoises are genetically geared for this kind of life cycle. However, they cannot be entirely deprived of water, so these tortoises have evolved to reserve water from the food they eat. Your actions affect your tortoise and what you do will impact the tortoise's ability to live to its full potential, which can be 50 years or more.