Hi there everyone I just wanted to say hello and introduce "Fred". Fred is 41yrs old and I am not sure what type he is but I think he's a Mediterranean. He has come out of his hibernation today and seems to have come through unscathed, I must have had my fingers crossed tight enough haha.

Hi and
Have you had Fred for 41yrs?
Can you post a photo of him,
and then an accurate confirmation of his species can be given.
Jane

Hi Jane and thankyou.
I had Fred for my 7th birthday and he was only a couple of weeks old and so yes he's been mine for the last 41yrs although when I left home at 26 when I married my mum wouldn't let me take him as she was so attached but since she died a couple of years ago he now lives with which, is why I thought I would join your forum as I feel a novice as daft as it may seem.
He has been having his baths and he ate some cucumber this morning so hopefully he will get a thumbs up from the vets tomorrow night when we take him for check-up which I do before hibernation and after and hopefully he has not lost too much weight as he had lost some before but was told still ok to hibernate him. I have posted some pics in the members gallery under "Fred"

Debbie

Hi Debbie (and Fred). Yours is a long relationship, and  exceptional...well done to you and yr late mum.I too have an old tortoise who has been cared for by me for well over 20 years. Before she came to me she spent 50 years in Scotland in Wick, until owner was too old to offer sufficient attention. Through various connections she came to me in Yorkshire. I am interested to find out just how long our oldest surviving torts have been in UK. Any info welcome.

I am hoping you will find this site useful Debbie. Even after well over 40 years as a keeper, I still pick up tips and new proceedures. Welcome, and keep us up to date!

David nr York.

Hi Debbie
Sorry for delay in replying, my computer packed up!!!
Had a look at fred he looks in great condition, I am thinking that he is a whitei can you post a piccie of the full length?
So you and Fred have been re-united how wonderful, I can image it is like starting again, but we are here so ask and share as much as you want. I noticed that he has lettuce and cucumber, really he should be having some good old weeds, check out this site that will help you to see what is around this time of the month. I know with this cold snap everything is going to be frost damaged, Florette from the super market can act as a temporary food, or pre alpin have a look at the links below

http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/site/tortoise_home_1.asp

http://www.urbantortoise.co.uk/

Jane

Hi Debbie

Looking forward to any stories you have to tell. What a lovely thread to do on the site David, hopefully you will get a good response
Jane

Hi Debbie

Looking forward to any stories you have to tell. What a lovely thread to do on the site David, hopefully you will get a good response
Jane

Hi David

Thank you for your post. Reading some of the subjects has already given me some ideas especially when the summer comes and Fred can go outside so yes the site is very useful.

How well travelled your tort has been and living to a right old age. Good luck with finding out about the oldest tortoises unfortunately the only people I know have very young ones. It has got me thinking today talking to a friend that Fred might be older than I assume he is as I have always assumed he was a few eeks as I was told I had to wait a few weeks before I could get him from the pet shop but unfortunately my memory is not as it used to be and cannot remember the reason my parents told me I had to wait and on reflection this could have been because I had him as a birthday present and had to wait for my birthday rather than waiting for the tort to be a specific age. Umm I am know wondering especially as my recollection is that he wasn't tiny like ones you see for sale today and my friend recons that he could have been 10/15yrs old when I got him. Time to get old photos out I think and see if I can find any old ones with him on. I will update you if I find any info out.

Debbie

Hi Jane

I will post better pictures as soon as my daughter has taught me how to load photos on the pc lol i'm afraid some technology is beyond me lol.

After his little trip to the vets last week he has now got out of his major strop. The vet gave him the thumbs up and was very surprised he had actually put weight on since he was weighed before hibernation (I wonder if this is a first). The strop came from the fact he had to have a little bit filed down on his beak as it was a bit longer than it should be but he's all ok now.

I will have a look at the other sites as any info is welcome and I think its about time Fred had a more varied diet.

Reading all the information that is around today from years ago I'm so surprised at times Fred is still plodding along. Over the last 40 years or so he has only been given lettuce and cucmber to feed on with the exception, of grass and dandelions when he is in his outside pen and as a treat occasionally he had a bit of fruit like plums, peaches and his very favourite strawberry. He very rarely drinks, I always wet his lettuce before he eats it. Hibernation was always in a cardboard box wit shredded paper in the spare bedroom with the radiator turned off and in later years he was put out in the conservatory in his box and the last 2yrs since I have hibernated him, he was up in the attic and after waking plenty of warm baths and sleeping next to the radiator.

Maybe with all the help and advice on the forum it will make the saying "Life begins at 40" actually mean something to Fred lol

Debbie