AS DAYS get shorter and the temperatures drop, hibernation is looking very appealing, not least when the alarm goes off.

I’m sure only 10 minutes after I’ve closed my eyes!

Some wild animals hibernate, just the same as pets.

Your tortoise may need to hibernate, but not your dog (and cats have nailed sleeping 95% of the time, anyway).

But it’s not as clear cut as that; many visitors are surprised to see our tortoises don’t hibernate, as most species of tortoises do.

But those are from arid, Mediterranean regions, where winter temperatures drop steeply.

Tropical and forest species.

Like ours from South America, don’t need to hibernate.

The temperature remains stable in the 20s all year, so they have the warmth and food to continue as normal.

Quite rightly, it is now illegal to import tortoises, meaner fewer are available as pets, but some are humanely bred in Britain by approved breeders.

It is vital to look after pet tortoises correctly- whatever the species.

Our cold winter temperatures mean most will be predisposed to hibernate in winter. Winter is coming.

The zoo has the resources to keep our tortoises at a stable temperature and monitor them constantly, which may not be possible at home if you don’t have a heated vivarium.

Vets and resources like the excellent Blue Cross website have really good information, like not hibernating a tortoise in its first year (they can’t build up the necessary fat reserves).

Then, make sure you don’t disturb them, but don’t forget them either!

Regular, quiet checks are essential.

Some native British species hibernate, like bats, dormice, and hedgehogs.

Again, they need our support, but not disturbance.

Gardeners: always remember to check piles of leaves and temptingly warm compost heaps before you thrust a fork into them.

Installing a bat box, or a hedgehog house (now in really fun and attractive designs) gives the creature a much needed helping hand and is a fascinating way for the whole family to observe our usually secretive native wildlife.

Knowing we can make a difference to all kinds of wildlife is what gets me leaping out of bed every time that rotten alarm goes off!