The first few years I was crazy paranoid about the turtles outside all winter. I would go out and look for all and see how far down they were, always thought not down enough. They have been fine on their own now, doing this for 12 years plus, never lost any. It does go down into the teens at times. THey have been buried in a foot of snow or more. I usually just cover areas I think they are with a good layer of leaves in late fall. So far so good. I haven't gone out to check once in the last few years!
In early spring I remove a good portion of the leaves and they usually start coming up end March beginning april.
I do keep hatchlings in their first winter,but put them out for good in may, when its warm.

Phil

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