Take care when ending a Tortoise's winter hibernation

WITH spring on the way, tortoise owners across the country are preparing to wake their pets from hibernation.

Tortoises can make interesting and enjoyable pets, but they need lots of special care and attention – and a healthy tortoise could live to be more than 100 years old.

Care is particularly important as tortoises come out of hibernation.

Tortoise hibernation usually lasts between 12 and 14 weeks – owners should never allow it to exceed 20 weeks. Assuming hibernation has gone smoothly and was uninterrupted, owners should begin to prepare for their tortoise to wake after 12 weeks.

Place the hibernation box near, but not too close to, a radiator so it can gradually warm up. After two or three hours, remove the tortoise from the box and place it in a secure, warm, bright room.

It is vital that a tortoise drinks within 24 to 48 hours of waking up. To encourage this, around three or four hours after waking up, place them in a shallow bath – a clean cat litter tray is ideal – containing about 2.5cm of warm water, for half an hour. While soaking they will start to drink, re-hydrate and release the toxins in their system.

For the first few days after waking from hibernation, tortoises should be kept warm to stimulate their digestive system. They are more vulnerable to some illnesses immediately after waking up from hibernation, particularly mouth or respiratory infections. If your tortoise isn't eating normally within a week, consult your vet.

Gidona Goodman, lecturer at the exotic animal and wildlife service at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies' Hospital of Small Animals, says: "Normally it would take a week for your tortoise to get back to normal behaviour and feeding, although you should start offering it food straight away.

"You should know what the weight of the animal is prior to hibernation and you can measure that while they're asleep, it won't disturb them.

"If it's dropped by more than 10 per cent, you should consult the vet. The other things are to look for any wounds, because if it wasn't secure enough a rodent may have got to it, and check the shell underneath as well."

But it's not yet time to leave your tortoise outside. "It's far too early for Scotland to go outdoors," she warns. "If you have the odd nice weekend and you're at home you can put it out for an hour or two but you still get frosts at this time of year – most people will have some sort of indoor setting that they can keep them in."

Ideally, you should book a post-hibernation check-up with your vet to ensure your tortoise is in good health.

There will be the perfect opportunity to find out more when the Dick Vet hosts a session on tortoise husbandry.

The talk will be given by Kevin Eatwell, who is recognised as a specialist throughout Europe, and is the only person to hold qualifications in reptile medicine from both the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the European College of Zoological Medicine.

The meeting will take place Wednesday, 12 May at the Hospital for Small Animals. Places can be booked on 0131-650 7650.