Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How often do you check on your hibernating box turtles? I still haven't been able to find my hibernating female, but once I do, I was wondering how often I should check up on her, if at all? And if I do find her, what signs should I look for to indicate that she is still healthy? Sorry for all of my hibernation questions I still have the jitters about leaving her outside. Thanks in advance for your replies! Oh, and I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!
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1.0.0 Jack Russel Terrier: Skipper
0.1.0 Miniature Pinscher: Bambi
1.1.1 Eastern Box Turtles: Daisy, Dozer, and Magnum
0.1.0 Red Eared Slider: Rosie
0.2.0 Rats: Clementine and Elsie
0.0.2 Rainbow Cichlids

I don't check in any organized manner and if I can't
find them, I consider that a good sign because that means
they're down pretty deep.

We are kind of in a drought so, I'll be checking the soil in
my pen occaionally and making sure it doesn't get too dry.
I'll water if necessary.

Otherwise, I usually check in Febuary or March and if its a nice day, I might pull out the ones I can find and give them a good soak, before putting them back where I found them.

I have only Hobo outside hibernating and I know he's next to a cactus plant inside the cactus "pen."
I pretty much check on him every day but all I do is look at the spot to see if it's been disturbed in any way. So far no it hasn't been so that's all I do.
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PHRatz

I have been looking in the pen every day to see if Daisy has emerged but I haven't seen her (even on the really warm days). Hopefully thats an indication that she is down pretty deep, but I still worry. I think I will keep trying to find her just for my own sanity Just think, next year I'll be doing this with TWO turtles.... twice the anxiety!!!!
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1.0.0 Jack Russel Terrier: Skipper
0.1.0 Miniature Pinscher: Bambi
1.1.1 Eastern Box Turtles: Daisy, Dozer, and Magnum
0.1.0 Red Eared Slider: Rosie
0.2.0 Rats: Clementine and Elsie
0.0.2 Rainbow Cichlids

Is it dangerous if the soil gets too dry? I know that the surface of the soil is very dry here, but under the surface in the enclosure it is quite cold and moist. How do you know when you should "water" your hibernating turtles? You also mentioned soaking in the middle of hibernation.... does this interfere with their natural cycle by warming them up, or do you soak them in cold water? I'm intrigued because I've never heard of this, but if it's beneficial I'll certainly give it a try! Thanks in advance for any reply.
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1.0.0 Jack Russel Terrier: Skipper
0.1.0 Miniature Pinscher: Bambi
1.1.1 Eastern Box Turtles: Daisy, Dozer, and Magnum
0.1.0 Red Eared Slider: Rosie
0.2.0 Rats: Clementine and Elsie
0.0.2 Rainbow Cichlids

As far as dry soil, I don't know for sure.
All I do know is that we have been in somewhat of
a drought for about a year now. And, I've heard
that one problem that can cause problems during hibernation
can be dehydration. Especially in artificial situations.

So, since our soil has been drier than normal throughout
the past year, I will be checking the areas where I know
they tend to hibernate in the pen, and if I dig down and its
not feeling at least "damp" and we aren't expecting any rainfall
I'll probably water down the pen a little.

I have no idea if this is really necessary, but I feel better doing it. I would think that moisture in the soil would keep them from getting dehydrated, so since our soil has been drier than normal, I'm keeping a closer eye on it.

I soak them in water out of the hose. I don't want to warm them up, just offer them a soak in case they need it. And I usually don't do that till at least late January or February.

Hi Lilypad,
I just returned from the state in which you live. The above average rainfall so far this fall and early winter have made the ground quite damp. Living where you do, there should never be a need to "water" your hibernating turtles. If there's enough organic matter in and above the soil...they'll be fine. After seeing your setup, I'm confident that you won't have to worry about it. People who keep Easterns in areas where they're not native may have to add some extra sprinkles. Being in their native range, you should be just fine.

As time passes, you'll become much more relaxed about your turtles' winter slumber. You'll simply tuck them in, then wait for those heads poking out in late March to mid-April. It's a great time for turtle and keeper both to rest and regroup.

Here's my big male Egbert awake on a chilly February morning.