pompeypoole

Read this post back in October and asked Santa to add the book to my Xmas list.

Couldn't put it down and read it within a couple of days. Great book. Liked the fact that it's sole focus was on wild Mediterranean tortoise and have they live and the continued impact we humans are having on them.

Doing really well. Up to 28 grams. Settled in well with the rest of this hatchlings. The damage to the marginal scutes seems to have healed itself. Never did find anymore hatchlings. Still surprised at how I missed the nest as I use live camera and a lapse time camera in the female enclosure.

Didn't find anymore hatchlings. There a few places where they could hide in dense cover, but I am not hopeful of finding anymore. Little one has put some weight on and have seen him eating so I guess he is through the worst. Still small when compared to my other babies hatched this year. He is moving around more as well.

I suspect it is due to the poor recent weather. My adult females have been very inactive recently. Choosing to remain most of the day in their outdoor heated house and coming out less to eat. Some of my older babies living outside have also buried themselves, I dig them up each morning and put them back under their lamp.

The weather forcast is improving over the next week and a prediction of 30 degrees for the bank holiday. Let's hope we get summer back soon.

Here is one of min that I bred.

Great timing. Was thinking it's time to change one of my bulbs. Just placed and order using the discount code.

Just ordered some Lumisol. Will let you know how I get on with it when it arrives.

Is it possible that it has suffered some kind of trauma. The area seems to be black. Can't make it out. Prheaps try taking a photo of the plastron (it's belly). It's claws look long, typical of wrong substrate in the past. Does he carry his own weight when he walks.

How old is she. Can you post picture. Do you weigh her regularly and are you confident that your scales are accurate

Say cheese.
Oldest from nearly 5 years old to 1 week old.
5 year 184g
4 year 143g
3 year 83g
2 year 66g
1 year 42g
1 week 13g

Couple of days ago managed to capture this pic of egg laying

Same here. I have clay soil so it is a cheap way of improving it in the Borders.

Good to have all the babies back from hibernation.
This is a 3 year 9 month old youngster. Weighing in at 106 grams.

Yes they are THB. They are typically 12g on hatching, but smallest I have had once is 6g.
The older hatchlings live at the back of my old garage where there is continuous glass along the width and where i have built a lare table top. The middle section I can remove so that they have access to natural UV. The smaller hatchlings live in an indoor table top. It is not exactly attractive but it does the job.
I fridge hibernate all my hatchlings in their first winter, unless I feel they are too small. I have hibernated hatchlings at 19g without any weight loss.
I weigh all my hatchlings every week and keep a record. One thing I have noticed is that last year's Hatchlings are putting on more weight than I would expect based on previous years. My suspicion is that now they are mixing with the older hatchlings they have access to more food. Something I may need to address by feeding separately.
I had plans to build a permanent outside enclosure this year for the 3 and 4 year olds, but I am about to have some major work done. New garage built and surrounding garden area developed.
this is now on hold until next year.
glad you liked the photos.

I often look back at old posts and came across this one that Sue started.
Thought I would add an updated picture of this youngster.