Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The winter temps where I live, in S.E. Florida, USA, don't reach below 30F, sometimes not even 40. No ice appears at all, nor frost. So my question is this.

I have 3 res's, 2 yb's and one map turtle I keep in an outside pond and wonder if they need any help through the winter or if I should just leave them put. I wonder if they'll just get sluggish and mope around at the bottome, but I'm also worried they might not eat at all and how I should monitor them.

If your water temperature is below 50 degrees you should not be feeding them anyway. They will automatically shut down and not eat. Also they tend to dig into any sediment in the bottom and just hang under water. You just have to monitor them for any signs of distress (like fungal patches on the skin and shell rot). Otherwise they should be fine. We hibernate sliders and cooters up here in New York (Long Island) and it is much colder for much longer than where you are.

Steve

Thanks homuman. I suppose the water temps will dip below 50, seeing the air temps will and my pond's not in the sun for too long. Maybe this will give them, and me, a much needed break.