Hibernation

Out of hibernation. After 5 months of sound (and we will assume) restful sleep. The tortoises have come out of hibernation. Can  you imagine sleeping for 5 months?  You would have missed so much good and bad and just life in general. You wouldn't know we have a new president or about Octo Mom or stimulus and bailout. Yes, this is a sign at the Island that SPRING has really sprung when Auggie and Baby come out of hibernation.  Actually, Baby just came out today and these pic's are of Auggie yesterday.  This guy is between 25 and 30 years old and we have owned him for about 8 years. Baby, we have had since she was a hatchling (baby, thus the name- took us 7 years to come up with a name) and we estimate she is about 15 years old now.   I guess you could say we have another teenager in the house.  How do they measure tortoise years?  After a long winter nap (they sleep in a cat igloo house in the backyard during hibernation), they get a good soaking since they have had no water this entire time, a spin around the back yard to get the kinks out, a food offering and a good sniff from Gracie.  As you can see from the above leg picture - hibernation does wonders for the skin.  They are either endangered or protected and we have a license for them issued by Fish and Game.   Oh the pleasures of tortoise ownership. 

Yes, it is officially spring time!  Wake up and eat the broccoli.