You don’t need to keep them inside the first year. As soon as they hatch I put them outside in a special pen just for them. It has to be extra secure because they are very good climbers. Also I have the top secure so nothing gets in. I hibernate them just like I do the adult turtles. I have never had a baby turtle die over the winter. It goes below freezing for 3-4 months each winter, were I live. I did keep some babies inside one winter. Unfortunately I could see that their shells were becoming slightly deformed, then I stated to keep them outside all year and I have never had that problem again. I have a friend who also keeps box turtles and he keeps the babies out side most of the time but when it comes time to hibernate, he puts them in a 5 gallon pail filled with dirt and leaves and keeps them in his basement. It works for him and he also has never lost a turtle in hibernation.



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Jack

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