HI all, as this site is so fab I wanted to ask your advice about George. He is now 4 years old and doing really well. I still wasn't ready this winter to hibernate him in a fridge etc as Im too scared incase I kill him by mistake. He has been kept inside is indoor cage for the winter and has put himself to sleep in November, he woke up about a week ago as the weather started to warm up but he has now gone back to bed as the weather went frosty outside. Today he has woken up again and this time I'm going to make sure he stays awake, is this the right thing to do? when he woke up about a week ago he did have a bath and something to eat. George looks good and he has lost a little weight over the winter but not much, and his eyes look bright

Hi
Nice to see your posts again.
Yes most definately you should keep him awake now. It has been a very hard year so far for the non fridge hibernators, the weather has been up and down liek a yoyo. How you hibernate is whatever you feel more comfortable doing, as this then keeps the torts safe. I personally use the fridge method, and as long as the fridge is running properly you should not have any problems, maybe something to consider for next year! Sounds like George enjoyed his sleep, don't you ever wish you could just do the same

Jane

Thanks Jane. Maybe next year, Im just too scared. :) x

Hi

Nothing to be scared of, to the torts it is the most natural thing in their lives.
Jane

Hi I have the same problem with my 3 year old Horsefield he took himself off to sleep NOvember and woke in February when it was warmer.I bathed him and he eat a little leaf and went straight back into his hiding place.
I have since woke him a few times and bathed him but he is not interested in eating at the moment,should I be worried?