Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been reading about others prepping their little guys for hibernation but here in Texas we are experiencing record heat for this late in the year. Looks like another day above 90 for us! My two ornates are still in their lazy summer mode and eating well.

I was curious how many with outside enclosures let their turts do their own thing. Mine have had no problems hibernating in the outside enclosure. I just add a bag of potting soil to one side and a big pile of leaves and continue to supply water. No problems.

I'm in Texas too, gulf coast. What you are doing sounds fine. I allowed several box turtles to hibernate in my pens last winter and they did fine buried in the mulchy soil under a semi rotten log. Plenty of leaves on top is good. They will know when to quit eating. Check on them just before a really cold snap or freezing temps and make sure they are buried good. They may go under for weeks at a time and then reappear on warm days and then back under again. In many parts of Texas they don't truely hibernate, they actually brumate. I've spoken with a number of other people in the Gulf Coast Turtle & Tortoise Society about hibernation/brumation too. It's a good idea to check them once or twice a month during hibernation and listen for any clicking when breathing. Choose a warmer day, get them out for about 30 min. outside to allow slight warming to make mucous flow. If any mucous is in their nose/lungs you should be able to hear a ticking sound when they breath. Occasional short disturbances like this in our climate will not harm them. Then put them back where they were. I use the word hibernation more than brumation when speaking just because people know the word hibernation better.
Gulf Coast Turtle & Tortoise Society