Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This will be my first time to hibernate my turtles. The temperatures here are a high of 70 and low or 45 and 55. Should I begin to stop feeding my turtles and soak them to clean their system? Today one was out, on under the leaves, and another in a clay pot. Anyone from Houston, your reply will be GREATLY appreciated, and I want to thank all of you in advance for your replies.

Im from Dallas not houston but since it should be no colder down there, I would say no need to hibernate yet. At least I haven't stopped feeding my ornates yet. They are in an outside enclosure and are still eating fine as of today. My older male is spending more time in his house (wooden basket) but still gets out to eat and chase my female occasionally. The female is still quite active and comes to me when I approach the pen so no signs of slowing metabolism yet.

Mine usually keep eating until the first freeze and then Dig in for winter. All I do for their hibernation is provide an extra bag of potting soil and a big pile of leaves. I stop feeding after thte first freeze but keep fresh water available just in case all winter.