Roly the tortoise

[quizzywig]

Any other tortoise owners out there? We've had Roly since 1982 (when you could buy them easily) and we are worried this year because it is May and he hasn't woken up yet. We have checked him (he hasn't gone to tortoise heaven!) but it is so much cooler this year and I wasn't exactly sure if we should get him up anyway. Most years he's been up around April, we always put him in his run in the Conservatory under a heat lamp (as recommended by a pet shop) but I'm still worried that it is so cold for him and would I be better to wait a while to see if the weather gets warmer? In a dilemma would welcome any advice from fellow tortoise owners.

[woofgang]

No, get him up and feeding. Keep in the conservatory and warm until this dratted weather improves. Mine is living in the spare room at the moment under artificial heat and light. I get her out in the garden when the sun comes out and hook her back indoors when it gets chilly.

[quizzywig]

Thanks woofy, I really want to get him up but obviously the weather was worrying me. If the conservatory gets too cold he can come into the dining room. Appreciate the advice.

[woofgang]

You are welcome. he will need a spot that is very warm indeed, around 25 degrees with the rest of his area at 20 and upwards for living indoors.

[jules77]

I had a tortoise for years, and I would say to get him up to he can recoup the weight he has lost while in hiberation. You will obviously have to keep him in the warm for a while.

[Jumbo747]

Gingerella has been in our family since 1962; she actually woke up in that warm week we had at the end of March and has been indoors pretty well ever since, eating and drinking well.
So I would get Roly up, keep him warm (so his body temperature rises nicely as tortoises are cold-blooded) and hopefully the weather will warm up soon so he can go outside.

[woofgang]

My girl woke in january this year because I had stupidly put he box where the sun could shine in on it. One good sunny day in january and there she was, awake. She has been living in the spare room ever since, hiking my tesco bill for out of season veg and running up my light and heating bill. She was out for a while in march but its way too cold for her to be living outside as she should be at this time of year....I have had her for about 46years.

[jules77]

Aah Woofgang, I am jealous in a way. I had mine 40 years..I started to get paranoid when she was in hibernation as one year I happened to hear her scratching her box and when I checked she was upside down. I kept checking on her and she kept waking up, having some food, then going back again. I think not having a proper hibernation was the cause of her mouth rot, and after a long spell in the vets being tube fed I lost her. I was heartbroken.

[woofgang]

so sorry to hear that Jules. Torts have to be hibernating and empty or awake and eating, there is no middle way. sadly this is comparatively new knowledge and many of us only kept our torts alive through dumb luck in the past.

[quizzywig]

Roly is now up. He's had a little warm bath and has been under his special lamp. I have lettuce and (organic!) cucumber ready for the first nibble, then i expect he'll want the strawberries. We tried Roly with dog food many years ago - suggested by some article - but he just sat in it. He likes pears and tomatoes. What do other ABers' tortoises like to eat? I'm keen to tempt him with new stuff.

[woofgang]

Do not give dog food, bread and butter or any other of the old wives tales!
Hibernating Tortoises are veggie by and large.
A mine of information here
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/

My girl loves chicory and lettuce, lambs lettuce, rocket and cucumber for hydration when she is indoors. Once the summer comes, (if, ha ha ) she lives on what grows in her enclosure plus occasional treats.

[woofgang]

Sorry, by hibernating tortoises, I meant the types that hibernate. There are exotic types that do not and their diet is different. Tortoises in hibernation, as we owners know, should not be fed at all.

[Jumbo747]

Gin can't resist a tempting raspberry! And strawberries are favourites too - along with the usual dandelions, lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes.