Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I inherited an Eastern box turtle this week that has been kept primarily indoors since May of this year. According to her previous owner, the last 21/2 weeks she hasn't eaten and seems sluggish...preparing for hibernation I'm assuming. I read some of the info on hibernation on this website so I put several inches of dirt, with 4 inches of mulch and leaves on top, and placed the aquarium in the garage (which is insulated). The temps here are around mid 60's in the day and 50's at night. The turtle remains sluggish but is not burrowing. She just barely gets in the mulch. Should I be concerned? She doesn't have puffy eyes or anything...I am worried about her becoming sick. Please send any suggestions. Thank you!!!

Sounds like its just cool enough for the turtle to be less active, but not cold enough for it to really burrow and hibernate in earnest.
Keeping it well hydrated is very important at this stage, so make sure that substrate is damp, and I'd even consider soaking the turtle every few days, just to make sure.
Good luck
Stephanie

Thanks much for the response. I will soak her in some water today and make sure that her substrate is damp. It has been warm the last two days and she's very active now. I am going to refrain from feeding her? Is that OK?? She has a dish of water in her large aquarium that I have in the garage set up for hibernation, will she soak herself if needed?? all coments are welcome, as I am extremely new at this! thanks again!

The weather has been unseasonably warm here in central Virginia also, and a couple of mine have been out and about. I have been checking their weight (to make sure they're not losing any) but I won't feed them for two reasons: A) their digestive tract should be empty for hibernation, and B) they're not interested in food now anyway, probably for reason A. They are not particularly active, in the greater scheme of things.
I'm including a link to a website that I have found to be very informative and easy to read and understand, that has information about hibernation that you'd probably find interesting.
Your turtle is responding to powerful instincts and environmental cues that may not exactly coincide with day-to-day temperatures.
Regards
Stephanie
Link

Dear Steph,
Thank you for the helpful link...lots of good info. I am hoping this will turn out to be a positive experience, as my children are learning about hibernation as am I. Thanks for your reply!
Lisa