Shell we? Hot weather sees rise in escapee tortoises

How have your pets been coping with the heat this week?

In Guernsey, where temperatures reached 36.4C this week, animal experts say the heat has led to some tortoises leaving home to go exploring.

Four of the reptile adventurers were found and handed into the Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) in one day last week.

Two have since been reunited with their owners.

GSPCA manager Steve Byrne said that the charity handle between 20 and 30 lost or escaped tortoises each year, particularly during periods of warm weather.

Steve said he expected more of the reptiles to be found if temperatures stay warm.

He added: "Tortoises are surprisingly good climbers and escape artists, and the warmer weather often encourages them to become more active and travel further than owners might expect."

He said that most of the tortoises they find tend to find during warmer months are male and "are often on the move looking for mates".

Tortoise owners have been encouraged to regularly check fences and garden boundaries and consider microchipping if appropriate.