Hello from Ted and me
 

Hi there, I have recently adopted a marginated tort and called him Ted. He is about 1 year old. It took him a few days to settle in and start eating but seems ok now - if a bit fussy!

I have been advised not to hibernate him this year because of his size, but as I am new to all this I would rather keep him awake anyway as the thought of hibernation does seem a bit scary :-|

Just about to bring him inside to his brand new table and "winter home".
he has been outside up til now with a run part on grass and part soil/gravel/sand which he loves digging in.

One thing I have noticed is that he doesn't seem to like his baths that much.

Should he move around when in there or just sit and contemplate ? - been giving him a bath every 2/3 days.

You are certainly right to bring him indoors as is it quite chilly now at night and it would be likely to send him into hibernation mode which you are right not to do this year.

Regarding baths some like them and some don't and it doesn't matter whether he moves or not as he will still be absorbing some moisture.

Hello to you and Ted by the way.

Size has nothing to do with how or when a tortoise is hibernated:0)
They hibernate from their first year.
But most good keepers will tell you not to hibernate any tortoise you get this time of the year. As you have to get to know your tortoise, and your tortoise has to get used to a new way of being kept. No two keepers keep tortoises the same:0)
Keep the bathing up, as tortoises when kept inside under lights for 12hrs or more will dehydrate quite quickly. And they will try and get out of a bath:0)
Use something quite deep and with solid sides, not something he can see through. As if he can see out thats where he will want to be:0)

Beatrice loves her bath but Bertie doesn't most of the time. However, occasionally he surprises me and just lies there all contented. I just sat and watched and found they decided when time to come out.

welcome Sarah and Ted ! nice little daily warm water spray from a mister would be ideal too ! Hope your winter goes well with the little one, CB

Thanks to everyone for your advice and welcome.
Ted seems to like his new home and because it is in our conservatory I seemed to spend most of Saturday just watching his antics!! Hilarious - seems to like trying to scale the sides - I'm sure he thinks he is Spiderman!!:-D

Hi Sarah
Torts are so wonderful to watch, so I'm sure Ted will give you hours of pleasure.

Just a tip- make sure conservatory isn't too hot for him on occasions.