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Fred
Posted: 28/04/2012 by Ted209

Tortoise not eating in horrible British weather
Posted: 28/04/2012 by Ted209

Hi, we have inherited a healthy tortoise and we think that she is between 50-80?

She came out of hibernation in mid March when we had a spell of warm weather. However since then weather has been cold, wet and horrible (england!) he's eaten a but but not a lot. When she does it's sporadic. She lives outside as she has done for the past 30-40 years in a warm house with straw etc,

The past few week or so she hasn't eaten anything and the weathers not getting any better- shall I bring her inside to feed her?

What shall i do??

Re: Fred
Posted: 28/04/2012 by DavidWYork

A rotten few weeks for outdoor torts!

Mine are each large (85litre) plastic boxes with a 60 watt reflector light over  one end, other end is cooler and shaded. The substrate is a sand soil mixture. They are feeding every day and maintaining good weights. Normally by now,they would be out gaining natural UV light and lots of exercise.I suggest you get a similar arrangement for wet /cold weather arrangements. I have kept torts outdoors for over 40 years and always started the year like this. Usually it is only for a couple of weeks...it will dry up and warm up soon!

Warmth and bright light will stimulate feeding, but do ensure that there is a cool area for them to retire to when they want to.

Keep us posted...ask if you need more help.

Regards, David nr York

Re: Fred
Posted: 02/05/2012 by wizzasmum

I have a pig lamp in my conservatory for bad weather periods like this. it means I have to keep themop handy but better than leaving them out in such awful periods.

 

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