I have a box turtle that I keep outside in a nicely enclosed, spacious pen. I put her outside at the start of summer and bring her in for winter. Last year was the first summer she spent outdoors and did just fine with it. This summer she has taken to burrowing rather extensively and it seems rather odd to me. The weather has been warm but for a few cool nights...we've also had quite a bit of rain this last month or so. Could she be going into some sort of "hibernation" mode during the summer??? Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.
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Strange summer behavior...
zookie
Jul 07, 2006 07:46 AM
Replies (2)
gemsofnewjersey
Jul 07, 2006 08:56 AM
Box turtles can exhibit odd behavior from time to time and sometimes it is perfectly normal. It can have to do with weather or temperature of it could be health. Turtles and tortoises are know to aestivate or borrow into the ground to avoid heat. They may remain there for days, weeks, months. It's like a hibernation. The turtle could be too cold as well. Have you checked it's health to see if there are any problems? Is it feeding well? Can you describe the pen and where it is situated in your yard?
-Chris
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PHRatz
Jul 07, 2006 09:29 AM
>> Turtles and tortoises are know to aestivate or borrow into the ground to avoid heat. They may remain there for days, weeks, months. It's like a hibernation.
That's just what I was saying in my post about Hobo vanishing. It's been unusually hot early this year. We had temps at around 100 every day for about 2 weeks & this happened at the end of spring..it was not even summer yet. I didn't know where he was so I was worried because he stayed out of sight for 3 weeks.
On June 22 it rained heavily although it's dry as can be again right now. Hobo came out when it rained, I now know that he's living under the storage building.
A few evenings ago it almost rained, we could smell rain but it never happened. I saw Hobo peeking out from under that building but he didn't come out.
It's got to be the extreme temps keeping him in hiding so I have stopped worrying about it.
So if it's been too warm where you are, that may be why your turtle is staying out of sight too.
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PHRatz
