IF your tortoise has been off its food and retreating into its shell recently, don't worry.

It's probably nothing to do with something you've said -- more likely it's just preparing to hibernate.

Once the weather gets colder your tortoise will start to eat less and slow down and hibernation will probably start around the middle of November.

It's a good idea to take your tortoise to your vet for a pre-hibernation check. He or she will also able to advise you on what you need to do to help your pet with hibernation and what to do when his sleeping period is up.

The maximum length of hibernation is about 14 weeks, according to the PDSA, so you can plan for the wake-up time.