Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 2 adult paited turtles that I have kept in a raised outdoor pond and I wonder if it is possible to hibernate them and if so how can I do it?

Because it is raised, I would not recommend hibernating them in this pond. The pond is above the frost line and would not be a good place for hibernation.

In the wild, painteds hibernate in ponds under the mud. The pond is below the frost line and the mud insulates them.

Thanks for your post. I like to have my painted inside so I can watch her swim all winter. My other turtles - all box turtles, hibernate outside in the garden pen, so I get to missing them. It is nice to have the painted to keep me company until spring!

Take care.

thanks,but do you think it is ok to bring them inside now because they seem to have already started preparing for hibernationand are very sluggish and dont come up?

yes its ok if you want them to live. If you put a turtle in the freezer it will start to hibernate. It doesnt mean it will survive very long, just like the turtles in your raised pond.

Dont go dumping them in 80 degree water, that might be stressful. I would try putting them in water from the pond outside and slowly warm it up so they will adjust to it.
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