Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi again. Firstly, I found no answer to just what "Brumating" is in my available material. I know that some bears don't really hibernate..they estivate...so, what is the meaning of the "Brumate" term please?

Secondly...in the helpful links that Rouen put out there I have read that turtles who do not hibernate(brumate?) get into trouble eventually. There is no question of course that the box turtle that is with me now will be kept over the winter with good heat, light, food, etc., but next winter(if all goes well)should I think of creating a place for it to brumate nautrally even thought it is not a native? What do you guys do with your healthy box turtles for the winter in places where they are not a native species?

I have studied the sources on preparing a good outdoor, protected place for them to do this but I am a bit worried about it as the turtle is not in it's native habitat.

Thanks so much.......LQ

what is the meaning of the "Brumate" term please?

As I understand the terms, hibernation involves an endothermic animal physically slowing down its body processes to lower its metabolism over the winter. Since reptiles are more or less ectothermic, their processes are dependent upon outside forces rather than anything their bodies are doing independently. Since "hibernation" would be technically incorrect, "brumation" is the term used to described the resulting dormancy.

I usually see "estivation" applied to dormant periods in the warmer months.

Secondly...in the helpful links that Rouen put out there I have read that turtles who do not hibernate(brumate?) get into trouble eventually.

Maybe. Based on my small sample size (n=2), that is not the case, since I didn't cool my turtles for the first 15 or so years I had them. However, I think it is better to cool them each winter.

should I think of creating a place for it to brumate nautrally even thought it is not a native?

It's not necessary. "Artificial" brumation appears to be just as effective as far as health of the turtle is concerned. It's also easier to monitor the turtle if it's readily accessible vs. buried in the yard.
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

These definitions are from the MVH Library website:

http://www.mesavet.com/library/hibernation.htm

Hibernation - State of dormancy coinciding with the cold of winter.

Brumation - used by some to specify hibernation in reptiles as separate from that in mammals.

Estivation - a strategy to avoid harsh environments during summer months; thought to be a method to conserve water.

Hope that clears this up!
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0.1.0 snapping turtle
0.1.0 painted turtle
0.1.0 ornate box turtle
0.1.0 Australian shepard
3.2.0 children
1.0.0 husband

brumation is a made up term. its still a dormancy period in winter. mammals that hibernate do it in a lot of difrent ways, so it doesnt really mean just one thing. and the reptiles have many of the same physiological changes

brumation = hibernation = winter dormancy

Thanks a heap! That was a big help and I appreciate it. Now I won't sound like such a dummy when the grandkids ask ME these questions! LOL

Happy Holidays

LQ

I've always understood brumation to be a "lighter" form of hibernation. Here on the Texas gulf coast turtles will kind of go into a hibernation, quit eating and bury down but on warm winter days they sometimes venture out and bask. True hibernation is suppose to be a complete dormant period where an animal can not be roused if handled. That's what I was told in my field biology class in college. Repticzone.com defined brumation pretty good as: "a semi-hibernation state in which a reptile sleeps a majority of the time, and eats very little." My box turtles in brumation know when I unbury them for exams and handle them.
terms at repticzone.com