tortoise seasonal update

[woolymonkey]

Like the weather, Speedy has suddenly decided it's winter. He was still (relatively) running about until yesterday, though he clearly had plans because he stopped eating several weeks ago. Now all I can see is the very top of his shell. Normally slowing and digging down is a much more gradual process, though I suppose it'll be a few more days before he disappears altogether--or he might even still pop back out if we get a warm day.

He's pretty much in the usual place, though less under the roots of my sickly magnolia, which must be good. He liked the nice loose area where I recently dug and added compost.

A glance back at the tortoise tag confirms his bedtime has been mid-late October ever since we moved to Cambridge. Before that, I didn't keep a record, though I used to put him in a box in the shed as per Blue Peter Procedure. I seem to have been pretty sure he wouldn't sleep before November. Maybe the difference between nippy Siberian East Anglia and the balmy Surrey Hills?

Comments

[lj_stowaway]

I love your tortoise updates! What do the cats think of Speedy, by the way?

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

The cats don't like him--he bites them! Luckily they move faster than he does so it's not hard to get away. Also, we have raised beds where they can nap out of his reach.
The were really surprised when he appeared in the Spring, but then they were still itty bitty kitties this time last year when he went to bed. I wonder if they'll remember him next year. The old cats were very puzzled when he first came to live with us, then learned to ignore him.

[lj_stowaway]

He bites them! Wow. Does he bite you, too? Is he just a cranky creature, or does he see the cats as enemies, do you think?

I bet they are old enough now to remember him and they won't be surprised come Springtime. I'd love to be a fly on the wall if they happen to be present as he emerges from the ground. *g*

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

He bites everone. I think he's just hoping we might be edible.

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

We definitely have colder winds here.

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

I know! Brrrrr...........
But Speedy came back up today. Wonder where he'll be by the time you get home.