Lost my 50yr Old Rustic Spur Thigh-FOUND
 

Hi Can someone please put my mind to rest, Cecil came out of hibernation 4 weeks ago and is very healthy. I turned my back on him for 10 mins in my garden and he has gone. He does love to dig into grass but I cannot find him. It was 7 degrees last night the same as tonight and todays temp was 14 degrees but yet no sign of him coming out. Do you think he has gone back into hibernation??? Tomorrow is forecast again 14 degrees is this warm enough so he come out and plays?? I am so worried...................:(

Hi

sorry to hear about your tortoise, 14 degrees isn't really warm enough for a tort to be active but if the sun's out then he may find a warm spot in your garden.

He has probably dug himself sown somewhere - look for disturbed soil, around the bases of shrubs, or any little sheltered spot.

Is he able to get out of your garden?

No he cannot get out of the garden but we have a large lawn, I turned my back on him for 10mins and he vanished. Nobody had entered the garden so I know he wasn't stolen. The sun is supposed to be out tomorrow first thing and 12 degrees, I really hope he come out as I miss him so much. I have checked every inch of the lawn and under leaves etc but still no sign :(

Well good luck, I really hope he makes an appearance tomorrow.
The one thing I've learned from reading posts on here is to not give up. some people have found their torts months, even years later.

You are on the right side of spring and summer so fingers crossed he doesn't keep you waiting too long.

Keep us updated :-)

Let's hope he makes an appearance tommorrow as it's supposed to be a warm day,best of luck in finding him.
Jayne

I am thinking about renting a thermal infrared camera, has anyone ever tried to find a tortoise with one of these???? She must have some sort of heat that I could detect her

I wouldn't have thought so if she hasn't basked and warmed up..torts are cold blooded...:-|

if he'd dug down through the lawn you'd notice it, look where theres any exposed soil around/under trees/plants it would take him a while to get through a decent lawn and neither of my two adults have ever been bothered to try. Plus torts rarely sit out in the open and make for the edges and cover, if you're lucky you might spot an area that has been disturbed but I'd ignore the lawn (unless its very rough).

still no sign of the tort? mine prefer to dig in corners or around the edges of the garden.

Try not to panic , they do love to find a spot right under bushes or trees and dig right down .