Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had my adult male Eastern box turtle for 3 years. The past 2 years, he hibernated successfully in his outdoor pen in Northern Florida (with advice from this forum, I might add). However, 6 months ago I moved to Los Angeles, CA. I no longer have a yard, but do have a balcony. Should I hibernate my turtle in a large Rubbermaid tub out on the balcony? Should I attempt a refrigerator hibernation? Also, it rained very heavily a few weeks ago here, so the turtle was brought inside for a while. When I tried to put the turtle back on the balcony, it kept crawling back to the door and seems to prefer being inside. Does this mean I should skip hibernation and just keep it under it's heat lamp inside? Any advice would be appreciated. Other info that might factor: He was purchased as a gift from a pet store, so I don't know his history before I got him. He shell is about five inches long and he weighs about a pound.
Thanks in advance,
Jessica

Jessica,
Hopefully you'll hear from one of the So. Cal. turtle keepers who log in here from time to time. In the mean time, check out this link.
Hope it helps
Stephanie
Link

if he kept crawling back to the door it must not have been cold enough for him to really hibernate. if its under 45 or so he wont crawl around. if its too warm to hibernate on the porch yiou could still use a fridge to keep safe temps that are 38-45 or so. use spagnum moss and keep it nicee and moist, and open the door each day to get O2 in and CO2 out. take him out and soak him in cool water every 2 weeks. if his eyes get puffy or theres mucus or something, keep him awake for the rest of the winter. but dont leave him where its too cold to eat/digest food and to warm to realy hibernate. thats dangerous

About 10 years ago in san diego I found a eastern gulf box turtle cruising the streets. He then moved with me to Simi Valley where he has a big backyard to rome, and plenty of fruits, corn, snails, and worms to eat. The guy could have lived out his life in the yard without me ever doing a thing. Here in Cali it can be, and usually is 80 on christmas day, when the rest of december and the end of november is chilly. My turtle would burrow his wintering spot, wake up when it warmed, and then go down again after it cools. I think it has to do with the night time temps, the colder they are, he stays down. But if it gets to be 60 at night, and above 70 , like it does in January during our little indian summer, he will be active again. After this up down, up down, up down, he would stay in his burrowing area until late March, or the beginning of April. I now live in orange county, and am experiencing the same pattern even though the climate here is different since I'm closer to the ocean. I think if you leave your turtle outside for the next 3 1/2 months he will be fine. Hope my experience helps helps.

I appreciate all the input!