Box turtles Russian or Horsfield’s tortoises Spur-thighed tortoises Marginated tortoises Hermann’s tortoises Desert tortoises Gopher tortoises Texas tortoises Wood turtle Spotted turtles Red-eared sliders Snapping turtles
Swollen eyes. Discharge from the nostrils Swollen ears Low body weight Difficulty breathing, exhibited by opening the mouth frequently Aquatic turtles remaining out the water at night Abscesses or other signs of parasite infestation Wounds or shell rot Strong smell,inflammation, or leaking liquid from underneath the tail Inside the mouth, any of these: the appearance of small blood-spots; deep red-purple tinge; a yellow cheesy substance
Check your local pet club information listings or ask your vet if you are unsure how to care for your pet. Most box turtles and tortoises hibernate between October or November until the late February through early April in the United States. [6] X Research source Most turtles and tortoises hibernate for 2-4 months. Some species in some regions can hibernate up to 6 months, though that length of time is not required. Ask your veterinarian for specific recommendations for your turtle.
Use the same scale you will use leading up to and during hibernation. Use a digital scale for animals under 6 lbs (2. 5kg) to ensure accuracy.
For tortoises: carrots and squash For turtles (non-meat): Leafy green vegetables like kale, broccoli, mustard and collard greens, and dandelions; orange vegetables, like alfalfa, squash, carrots, sweet potatoes; orange fruit, like cantaloupe and peaches For turtles (meat): fish and baby mice If your pet already gets a lot of vitamin A, just keep feeding it as normal.
Good sources of fiber for both turtles and tortoises include alfalfa and timothy hay, both which are high-fiber weeds and grasses. If your pet normally eats a high-fiber diet, just keep feeding him as usual.
Undigested food kills hibernating pets in 2 ways. Either the food decays and causes fatal bacterial infections inside your pet; or the food decays and creates large clouds of gas, which press internally on your pet’s lungs to suffocate it. When in doubt, contact your vet. [13] X Research source Your pet’s digestive system is controlled to a large extent by temperature. Tortoises can need 3-6 weeks. [14] X Research source Small tortoises (<1kg) need 3 weeks; medium sized (1-1. 5 kg) need 3-4 weeks; large tortoises (2-3kg) need 4-6 weeks. Turtles need roughly 2-3 weeks. A small turtle like a Box turtle might need only 10-14 days. [15] X Research source
Turtles: start 1 week before hibernation. 65°F (18°C) for 2-3 days, gradually reduced to 60°F (15°C) over 2-3 days, then gradually reduced to 50°F (10°C) or a little below. [17] X Research source [18] X Research source Tortoises: start 4 weeks before hibernation. Gradually reduce temperature to 60°F (15°C) over 1 week, then keep temperature 55-60°F (13-15°C) for 3 weeks so your tortoise can fully digest its last meal. 50°F (10°C) is the maximum (warmest) temperature for hibernation to occur. If your turtle or tortoise is at 50°F (10°C), they will begin to hibernate.
If you have an aquatic turtle that is staying in water outdoors, make sure the water does not freeze and has a depth of at least 18 inches. If your pet is staying indoors, scope out a cool location in your house for your turtle or tortoise. Many people use refrigerators. Others use garages, basements, or any room at room temperature. Pick a location that stays above 50°F (10°C) as its default. If your power goes out, your pet escapes, or another accident occurs, you want your turtle or tortoise to live despite the temperature change.
Ventilate properly. A fridge is air-sealed, so you must provide air to your turtle or tortoise. Open the fridge door at least 3 times a week, for 1-2 minutes. [19] X Research source Test the fridge temperature. Place a thermometer in the fridge and monitor its fluctuations and accuracy. If there is a lot of temperature fluctuation, fill your fridge with other masses, like water bottles, that will hold the temperature steadier than just air will. [20] X Research source Pick a fridge that you will not be using often throughout the day. Opening and closing the door often can deregulate the temperature, as well as flicker the fridge lights on and off.
Your outer box should be made of sturdy material able to withstand chewing by rats. Use plywood, plastic, or wood. Do not use cardboard. Your turtle or tortoise should be able to turn around in the smaller box, but not wander a lot.
The best insulation is polystyrene or packing foam. Alternatives include insulation from housing or packing projects. If you need, tightly packed shredded paper can work too.
Many pet owners like using a classic maximum-minimum reading thermometer from any garden or hardware store. Some pet owners like using thermometers with alarms that sound when the temperature gets above or below a certain reading. [22] X Research source
coir (crushed coconut husk) straw shredded newspaper peat moss commercial substrates for reptiles, such as Carefresh or Bed-A-Beast Do not use substrate with fertilizers, plant food, or any chemical additives Check the appropriate moistness of your substrate for your species of pet. For example, box turtles need very moist substrate that is almost wet. Turtles and tortoises use up very little oxygen when hibernating, but still require a small amount of oxygen. Make ventilation holes that are small (less than an inch or centimeter in diameter).
If your pet is hibernating outdoors in nature and not in a hibernaculum, make sure your pet will neither drown or freeze in its hibernation spot. Your pet should still have constant access to drinking water. If your pet is hibernating outdoors, it will naturally bury itself in or around a pond. The pond should have a good bed of dirt or muck to dig into, and be at least 18 inches (45. 7 cm) deep to provide some temperature insulation. If needed, keep the pond from freezing by using a floating pond heater through the winter. [23] X Research source If your outdoor turtle will not hibernate, even though the weather has cooled, or you see it swimming or basking a lot after other turtles have disappeared, bring it inside. Some turtles just don’t know how to hibernate and will not survive the winter outside.
If your 1) tortoise or turtle has urinated or defecated while hibernating, 2) your pet’s skin is dry, or 3) hibernaculum is just much wetter than usual, soak your pet for 2 hours in room-temperature water. The water level should happen just below your pet’s bridge. Dry your pet thoroughly, and return your pet to the hibernaculum placed in a slightly cooler location: you had been keeping your pet in a location that was too warm and dehydrated your pet. [24] X Research source [25] X Research source Signs of infection include discharge, breathing difficulties, and changes in the skin or shell. If you notice anything concerning, call your vet. If your pet’s skin is dry or the hibernaculum is wetter than usual, soak your pet in room-temperature water for two hours.
Check your thermometer at least once a day, if not a few times a day. Check hourly during very cold or hot times. If the temperature is consistently warm or cold for a few hours, change the location of your hibernaculum to a place with a more optimal temperature.
A 1 kg tortoise losing 10 g per month A 1. 5 kg tortoise losing 15 g per month A 2 kg tortoise losing 20 g per month[27] X Research source If your turtle or tortoise is losing weight faster than this, rehydrate your pet by sticking them in shallow room temperature water for 2 hours. The water level should fall just below the bridge on your pet. If your pet loses weight faster than this for more than a week, contact your vet. For instance, a turtle or tortoise that weighs 600 grams (21. 2 oz) should lose 6 grams a month. Keep these records for the next time you want your pet to hibernate.
Waking up is a mirror image of going into hibernation. “Waking up” is characterized by more movement and activity. Drinking water is important throughout this process. However, your pet might avoid food. Keep the temperature warm. Temperature for critical in your pet’s metabolism, and cold temperatures can make your pet vulnerable to illness. Use a heat lamp or focal light to warm up your turtle or tortoise if it is not active or eating properly. [28] X Research source
Use a sink, bathtub, large deep food tray, or other “bath” container suitable to the size of your pet. Tortoises “drink” through their anus, so this soak in water is the same as drinking it.
Some turtles take weeks to feed again, and males might feed only until after breeding. [30] X Research source [31] X Research source However, if you see signs of vomit, upset stomachs, or any other illness or infection, see your doctor immediately. All tortoises should feed within 1 week of hibernation. If not, your tortoise is sick or getting sick. See your vet immediately.
