I got one of my fb's 19 years ago, and his mate a year later. They live in an unheated tank with moss, rocks & 2 ponds (1 each). They don't hibernate & I have always fed them small earthworms. I tried crickets once but they didn't like them. They look just the same as they did when I got them, only fatter! I agree with you, they are very easy to care for.