2024 The year ahead

Young rare captive bred Algerian spur thigh whitei

The year ahead...

From everyone at Norfolk Tortoise Club, we hope this message finds you well and ready for the rest of 2024.

Winter tends to be the time the club team takes a little step back from duties to recharge and reflect on a year's work. Last year saw a record-breaking number of tortoises helped and rehomed. This year is unlikely to be different, with requests for our support with husbandry always increasing. Continuing to be a member, helping with our fundraising campaigns and attending our events are just a few of the things you can do to support the club.

As we step into February, many keepers are beginning to think about waking tortoises from their winter hibernation. Most tortoises are quick to stir once brought into a warm room and offered fresh food. Others may need some encouragement with daily warm soaks for 20 minutes, some time under a 100 watt basking lamp and even some hand-feeding to get them started. Reptoboost by Vetark is a popular go-to as a bathwater supplement to use in spring. Just remember to only use it short-term and to rinse your tortoise after Reptoboost baths. Nutrobal multivitamin and calcium are recommended on meals to help to make up for a lack of nutrients in plants at this time of year. If you are seeking feeding ideas, consult the free healthy food resources on the club's website or watch the Tortoise Matters YouTube feeding guides. 

Some of you may be starting to get your outdoor enclosures ready. Now's a good time for removing plants and grass that may have taken over and reseeding edible plants ready for the seasons ahead. You can now stock up on seeds via the club's new charity eBay account. We just have seeds, for now, but more products will follow shortly. Visit: www.ebay.co.uk/usr/norfoltortoise