Hi, I have a 7 year old Horsfield male tortoise, who has decided that he wants to hibernate early this year, he has not eaten for about 3/4 weeks now.  He is under a lamp and I put him out in the garden to run around, but he just burrows straight down under something and snoozes.

I am worried about him and as I am currently undergoing chemotherapy and am not well myself, I would appreciate some advice about what to do with him.  I would normally hibernate him in November for about 3 months, but he is losing weight already.

My nearest exotic specialist is 85 miles away and the journey is difficult for me at the moment, local vets do not have the knowledge required.

Thanks to anyone who can help me, Lynda

Hi Lynda, tortoises are sensing the weather changing, and are beginning to slow down, just check that the temps under the lamps are still reading 35C under the basking spot and 20C in the rest of the table.  The temps can sometimes read cooler as the ambient temperature around the table reduces as the weather turns cooler.

regards Vivienne