Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Good morning to all of you. I have a question about leaves. Last winter when the leaves fell from the mulberry trees, I put them into large rubbermaid barrels intending to use them as mulch for my flower beds. I have a lot and was wondering if these leaves would be alright to put into the pen for my boxies to bury under when they decide the time is right to go into hibernation.

Being that the leaves have been closed up in the barrels since last winter, they do smell a bit musty and some are a bit molded I guess you would say. Anyway......what are your thoughts on using these leaves. I don't want to use them if you think they will harm the turtles in any way.

I might add that this is the first winter I am going to try and hibernate them outdoors in a pen. I normally bring them into the garage in large wooden cages filled with moss and of course a dish of water at one end. However, I decided that maybe they would be happy staying outdoors this year since they are so used to being outside in their pen.

Any advice you all could give me would be very appreciated. I realize there is a post about hibernation on this page and I have read it all, but no one has mentioned how old the leaves are that everyone piles into the pens or buries in their cubbies (hide boxes). Thank-you in advance! Have a wonderful day!......9boxies

I just use leaves that have fallen that season, so I'm waiting for this year's to fall before I can use them in the hibernacula. By the time spring rolls around, the leaves will home to lots of worms, and the turtles will have a snack handy when they're ready to eat. I usually end up raking my neighbor's leaves, too, which they love.

My feeling is to tell you to get your hands on 'fresh' leaves: I don't think I'd use anything moldy. It's one thing to have leaves that have decayed with plenty of air circulation, but mold is a little different in my book.

I wouldn't use moldy leaves, that would leave the turtles open to aspergillosis, and URI's.

Thank-you StephF and Rouen for your replies. I guess I better wait then until my leaves fall in a couple of months and put those into the pen instead of the old ones. I appreciate your quick response. Thank-you! ....9boxies