Tortoises preparing to hibernate were this week offered free health checks by the University of Edinburgh. Staff at the university's Easter Bush Veterinary Hospital - the only vet school in the United Kingdom with an exotic animals service - held a special clinic to ensure the pets were fit to hibernate. Tortoises in Scotland can experience health problems because their owners do not keep them warm enough and often feed them inappropriately. Apparently, deep-fried Mars bars are not enough to keep out the cold.