Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ok well i have discussed this before and well my three toed that i have had for a little over a year now isnt eating i actually havent seen her eat in like a month!!! i am wondering if i should hibernate her but i mean i have never hibernated her before and i havent seen her eating....i know to stop eating is a sign of wanting to hibernate but....anyways you guys are all saying just keep a heat lamp and soak her but every time i dig her up from the soil that she digs under i find this like clear little eyelid thing over it and i am thinking she was hibernating....she has never hibernated before(not that i know of) but should i still do it? i mean if i were to hibernate her i would do it in the garage and would i have to put a little wire mesh screen over the storage tub to keep from animals getting in?? anyways when do you take out from hibernation?? and when do they eat? how often to feed them? do you think it would be a good idea to? shes never lived outside before but in the spring i am utting her out there in a large pen!! WELL ANY ADVICE WOULD BE APPRECIATED!!!....and should i call a vet because shes not eating i mean that is the only thing i am really concerned abnout(her not eating)

That "clear little eyelid thing over her eye" is her eyelid. Which means that when you dig her up she's been sleeping. Can't really say whether she's been hibernating, but if she's inside and hiding that much it sure sounds like she's trying.
Either maintain her indoor setup temperature between 75-85 degrees, with proper lighting, humidity, etc., soaking her daily and making sure that she eats 2-3 times a week, or hibernate her at 45 degrees for the rest of the winter.
You need to make a decision about this soon, and unfortunately we can't really make it for you.
Re-read the various responses to previous questions you've asked: some went into detail for you.
Also, you really need to weigh her regularly, as a way to monitor that aspect of her health.

well i do have some good news!!! i took her out...again.....and i put her and soaked her then i gave her some fruit and at first she didnt eat it but then she took a couple bites out of the pineapple....im not sure if i am going to hibernate her im so confused and clueless right now!

>>well i do have some good news!!! i took her out...again.....and i put her and soaked her then i gave her some fruit and at first she didnt eat it but then she took a couple bites out of the pineapple....im not sure if i am going to hibernate her im so confused and clueless right now!

What else did you offer her at this feeding session? You should not be wasting her appetite at this time of year on sugary fruits like pineapple. In the winter months it's important to feed her highly nutritious foods since turtles don't eat a lot anyways. Feed her live insects like nightcrawlers, crickets, superworms, waxworms and earthworms. Instead of fruits feed her cooked sweet potatoe, grated carrots, grated zucchini and yellow squash. Apples, persimmons and red plums can also be given.

To keep her eating be sure her setup is warmed to the right temperature. It should be warm at her level and the only way to be certain is with a good digital thermometer. Those little stick-ons are not good enough, unless you have several in there at different levels. The lights should reamin on for 14 hours. Think "summer-like" conditions, warm, humid and bright. Read the hibernation chapter in my online box turtle book for more info or visit other box turtle care sites. www.boxturtlesite.org/bxbook.html
Good luck!
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well i offered her bunches of fruits and carrots and broccoli but straight away she went for the pineapple...and would i have to cut the pink brown peels(whatever) off the sweet potato?? i gave her some baked potato(cooked) and mashed and she seemed to like it...ill try different foods