I have two potential breeding colonies but know I need to get them hibernated to have a chance. My concern is that the animmals hav been kept almost exclusively indoors in heated conditions.
Please do not respond unless you have successful experience in this area.
My plan is to:
1) turn off the heaters (getting the tanks down from mid 70's to winter room temp - upper 60's)
2) somehow taking them from 60's to a hibernation temp, preferably outdoors in a plant pond that stays icefree.
I have had significant problems with cold shock(losing or nearly so several turtles) even during the late spring(June) or late summer(September) when turtles get placed outdoors from indoors. The days are plenty warm- low 80's, but nights still get cool. It seems once turtles have spend awhile out of doors that they "toughen" up to temperature changes, especially on the low end.
Species to be hibernated:
Graptemys versa
Graptemys caglei
Both texas natives.
I am in eastern Virginia, and live where winter temp.s would typically have lows that are borderline freezing and highs near upper 40s during the winter.
I am contemplating dropping the turts to room temp, putting them in the coldest part of the house indoors - which will probably only get them down to about 62/63. The problem is getting them the rest of the way. I assume that they probably need to go down near 50 for a good hibernation.
Also how long a duration is required - 4 weeks/6 weeks?
Thanks for your help.
Again, please only reply if you have experience hibernating turtles that have been primarily kept indoors.
