The conditions in your bathroom is probably not as warm and humid as is required to keep the turtle active in the winter. Since you don't know what kind of food the turtle ate all summer and therefore may not be in the best conditions, I would not let it hibernate this winter but make the changes necessary to keep it active and eating.

Instead of trying to heat and keep humid a whole room, it might be best to put the turtle in a smaller container where you can control the conditions easier. A large plastic tote or a large glass tank will be easier to heat and keep moist. I have a great indoor setup described and pictured in my book that will be appropriate for long term usage. It might be what you are looking for as a permanent indoor home. The night time pen I describe in the book might be the right "field trip" pen for the turtle

Reproduce summer like conditions and see if that helps.
Good luck.
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Tess Cook
www.boxturtlesite.info

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