Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, I have another question for you all. The turtles that were in the garage hibernating are now up again and have been for about 2 weeks. Should I go ahead and give in and feed them and then try to keep them inside in the house until the weather warms all the way up for them to be put outside in their pen, or what? Should I just stick them out in their pen even though it isn't completed yet........by that I mean no landscaping in it yet, and then if they dig under just let them stay there until they surface again? Should I feed them? Any info would be greatly appreciated. 9boxies

it's really up to you, do you know you can supply what they need from now till it warms up(lighting/heating)? I already pulled mine from brumation as it was too warm for them to maintain their weight and my male was lost some body weight, if you do pull them warm them up slowly, take about a week to get them to summer temps so you dont shock them, and you can really offer food whenever you think they're ready as their metabolism will be functioning again once they're warm.
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1.2.1 Terrapene Carolina Triunguis
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Thanks for the replies, Rouen and findaratot! I am not sure what I will do with the turtles. Yes, I could bring them in the house. I have a spare bedroom that I could move the wooden cages into and put a tarp or something on the floor to set them on. I could get some lamps like you all use to give them warmth and I think they would do ok. Or,how would it be to just leave them out in the boxes and put them out on the patio during the day so they get the daytime temps out there. I could bring the boxes back into the garage at night to protect them in case the temps drop. The temps this week are not supposed to get below 47 degrees at night. I love our weather this winter, but gee.....it sure did play heck with the turtles and their hibernating. Anyway......guess I will have to kind of play it by ear as to what to do with the turtles. I know we are going to have a freeze sometime before spring. It always happens.........the trees all bud out and even start getting leaves on them and then it freezes and kills everything back. But.....I shouldn't complain. At least we don't have the heavy snows and blizzards that some of the states do. Thanks again! Oh, anyone else have thoughts on this? ....9boxies

my only concern is if it stays too warm for too long, if this happens your turtles will use their energy reserves and fat to stay alive and this will cause them to lose weight, if it stays above 50 degrees for more than a week I'd bring them in.
like you we didn't get much snow this year, January felt like March and March feels like January, go figure.
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My Site
1.2.1 Terrapene Carolina Triunguis
0.1 Nymphicus hollandicus
1.1 Melopsittacus undulatus
1.0 American Cocker Spaniels
1.0 American Short Hair? Cat
1.1 Rouen Ducks

"if it stays above 50 degrees for more than a week I'd bring them in. "

Did you mean if it stays above 50 degrees for more than a week that I should go ahead and start feeding them again? I am thinking of doing that today! I know they must be getting hungry since they are not hibernating. (brumating.....is that the same thing?) Anyway.......I think they will do ok if I go ahead and put them outside to get some sun today since it is nice and warm out there and they have been on top of the substrate for a couple of weeks now. During the daytime anyway!

I really don't see them deciding to go back under anytime soon anyway. Gee......in exactly one month from today is when my hummers usually return for the summer months. I don't know where the time has gone to, but it sure is passing too quickly for me. Maybe that comes with getting older. I hope it slows down soon though or my days might not be many!! You all have a good week-end! ......9boxies

how warm has it been where you are?
I'd only feed them if you're certain they can metabolise the food, otherwise it could rot in their guts which isn't a good thing, I wouldn;t offer food unless it's atleast 65 degrees during the day every day, night temps dont matter too much with digestion as long as they can warm up enough to get the food processing come morning.
hope that clerifies things and helps you deside.
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My Site
1.2.1 Terrapene Carolina Triunguis
0.1 Nymphicus hollandicus
1.1 Melopsittacus undulatus
1.0 American Cocker Spaniels
1.0 American Short Hair? Cat
1.1 Rouen Ducks

The outdoor temps where I am have been in the upper 60's to 80 degrees the past week. This week is more of the same for the next 4 days anyway. I went ahead and fed them on Friday I think it was. All of them ate some meal worms and tomato. I put them out in the new pen even though I haven't gotten the plants put in it yet. They do have logs and large rocks in it for shade, as well as their cubbies (as I call them) to go into to get out of the sun. They seemed to really enjoy being out there. When the sun started going down I went out and got them and put them back in their boxes in the garage for the night, putting them back out in the pen the next a.m. since we are having nice weather during the day. Anyway......I soak them each morning before I put them in the pen in case any want to poop.

So......do you think this is ok? ......9boxies

should be okay as long as the temps dont drop for a week/weeks.
and I'm jealous of your temps! we're still in the 40's - 50's here.
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My Site
1.2.1 Terrapene Carolina Triunguis
0.1 Nymphicus hollandicus
1.1 Melopsittacus undulatus
1.0 American Cocker Spaniels
1.0 American Short Hair? Cat
1.1 Rouen Ducks

If i were you I would take them inside until it gets warmer. I had my box turtles outside and they were underground all winter, but it wasn't cold 100% of the time and they got very sick. I managed to nurse them back to health, but I won't make that mistake again.