Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I came across my turtle apparently..snoozing?...in her pond. Her eyes were closed and legs were suspended in the water. I'm not sure if that's natural since SHE CAN'T BREATH. anyway, do your turtles do that??? (I will never learn enough about these things) Here is the site for the photo - you can see her eyes are closed if you view the photo in large http://www.pbase.com/image/18261818

also, if you click Next in the righthand side, the next photo is one of her waking up and giving me the evil eye.

Thank you!

It is normal for turtles to sleep under water.
-----

I don't know the exact numbers of how long they can stay underwater without taking a breath..

I think its about 5-10 minutes when their actively swimming (longer as they get to a adult) and I think its around 2-4 hours when their sleeping. So yes it's VERY strange they don't need to breath... and like you I still won't ever understand everything about them. Their so great

On a side note, I saw a PBS special about turtles and they showed a RES hibernating.. the thing was completely covered in ice and frozen. They said his heart completely stops beating and when it becomes spring and when he defrosts, he wakes up! They say scientists don't even know how they do this... cool huh

haha I saw that too! crazy!

thanks so much!

~Tang