Joey the tortoise is awake!

It could be to do with diet - maybe lack of calcium. Joey has cuttlefish available throughout the summer and often gnaws on it. I've also read somewhere that lack of UV can distort the growth of shell but in some species of tortoise the shell can curl naturally at the back, particularly in males.

The only thing I am reasonably sure about is that "pyramiding", where the shell is very bumpy and lumpy, is caused by over-feeding. It's very hard (actually impossible) where I live to find a vet who knows about tortoises, I have to rely on books and tortoise forums online for any advice I need.

Joey is gorgeous! Thank you for the photo, and for this lovely thread.

I’ve loved reading about Joey and all the other tortoises. They are fascinating creatures.

We once were walking in a huge park in Turkey which hadn’t been tended in many years and had been reclaimed by nature when we heard something moving in the undergrowth. The children were quite young and we were slightly apprehensive as to what it could be when all of a sudden a huge tortoise appeared in front of us. It was a magnificent creature, we still talk about how delighted we were to have come across it.

Oh, I've just found this photo taken a couple of years ago which made me laugh!

Lovely!

Thank you, AskAlice

Joey looks very sprightly.

Took Freda out of hibernation yesterday and made a little pen for her in the garage before we let her out in the garden. Thought she’d take a while before she woke up properly but she’s off looking for escape routes so I hope I can release her in the garden soon. I’ll still bring her in at night but she does manage to hide herself well despite her size. We put a yellow sticker on her back to help us in the search, which the dog often helps with.

Ours is awake too, Shelley. But not keen on eating yet, only if I hand feed her ( lazy ). She's anout 75 now

First wee this morning! Those of you with tortoises will know an important event this is!

I plundered the local woods and neighbours gardens yesterday and have collected lots of good tortoise friendly weeds (dandelion and plantain), which are now stored in the fridge in the garage and will feed her for a few days. Waiting for the chickweed to sprout in my garden later on this month, another of her favourites.

"WHAT and important event..."

...or even *WHAT an important event", sorry!