Slowing Down

For those of you who have torties outside now is the time to make sure everything is ready for them to hibernate, especially if they have a  house out side and you are going to let them hibernate naturally. My girls and boys are all slowing down now but most are still eating. Today the sun came out so I gave them some food and everyone ate . Although some days they don't come out at all it will be a few weeks before they hibernate. You must  just keep giving them food until they stop eating of their own accord. Once they stop eating they will then have to empty their stomachs before they go to sleep for the winter but they know what to do so just let them do what comes naturally. I have been watching my tortoises doing this for over 35 years now and have not lost one over the winter.What you must NOT do is force them to either stop eating and  or go to sleep because all you will do is cause stress to your tortoise and ultimately upset their whole system. I am only going to say a little about putting them in double lined boxes etc, in the loft or garage to hibernate and that is I would not do it myself  but if it is how you want to do it then it is up to you. All I would like to add is; A happy tortoise is one who is content in its surroundings and is left to hibernate where it lives and feels safe!!.....