Tough for tortoises
The unusually warm summer experienced this year has been generally good for Mediterranean tortoises, however the exceptionally mild weather continuing this long into the autumn is beginning to cause some problems, as tortoises are delaying hibernation.
The unusually warm summer experienced this year has been generally good for Mediterranean tortoises, however the exceptionally mild weather continuing this long into the autumn is beginning to cause some problems, as tortoises are delaying hibernation.
Many keepers who are concerned about this unusual behaviour have contacted us. In some cases, tortoises have changed a pattern of behaviour established for more than 20 or 30 years.
The Tortoise Trust has produced a free booklet for owners on how to cope with these unusual conditions, providing detailed advice.
To receive a copy, readers should send a medium-sized SAE to: Hibernation Guide, The Tortoise Trust, BM Tortoise, London, WC1N 3XX. This information is also available via our website: www.tortoisetrust.org.
Andy C Highfield, The Tortoise Trust, London.
