Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have an adult red eared slider and am caring for it as best to my ability.. He seems happy and I love the little guy... Currently, during the day, I keep him outside in this huge tub of water that I have constructed in the grass.. where he can get out if he wants and bask in the sun.. but because of racoons and other animals.... at night.. I bring him in to a smaller tub of water on the porch.. where he sleeps until the next day.. and usually feeds around that time.. my question is.. during the winter.. what do I do? can i keep him outside? can he freeze? and obviously, I don't think snow is a good idea for him.. so do i keep him inside?? also.. I read up on hybernation for turtles or something.. when do RES's hybernate? for how long? what should I do with him during this time?? ... side question... how long should he be sleeping? thanks so much.

-ED

RES will hibernate, but only in a pond where they can dig down into the muddy bottom. Most people bring them in for the winter, a nice big stock tank with a basking spot would work fine.
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I live on Long Island in New York State and have 2 RES's that reside in a pond (12'x12', 1-4 ft deep) I made in the back yard. One turtle, a female (8" shell) I found crossing a busy road about three years ago. She disappeared that winter, however the next Spring she was in the pond (apparently overwintered there in some state of hibernation, becuase I never saw her all winter). The next year I thought I'd be nice and bring her in for the winter. I put her in a huge tub with plenty of room and water, and by the end of November she was constantly swimming about, but not eating. I got worried and went to the local pet shop, who advised me that once these turtles have hibernated, they will continue to want to do so. So back in the pond she went, and was there again this spring. I bought a male (6" shell)for her to play with this year, hopefully we will have offspring. Has anyone had any experience with baby turtles?

Maybe put that in a whole 'nother topic..

Just a thing about the swimming and not eating line you said.. well from my experiences I baught my turtles when they were babies and have never hibernated them. But as far back as I can remember they simply don't eat during the winter. They act completely normal but just aren't hungry. And they never hibernated before so they surely don't know what it feels like.. but I suppose nature tells them to fast or something. I do keep them near the window so they can tell when the sun is going down faster and stuff like that

ok.. so here's what i got so far from all your responses.. thank you by the way...

ok.. so if he's here in my back yard the entire summer... can i drop him in a pond for the winter?? will he hybernate.. even if he isn't familiar with the area?? and one of you said you keep them inside next to a window? in a tub? can i keep him in a tub inside..?? i don't know if i can do the whole tank thing... how much does a tank go for? also. lets say i keep him in a tub on the porch for the winter .. how cold of a temperature can he survive? its gets pretty chilly on my porch.. so all i can think of now is either keep him inside in a tub next to a window?? or maybe drop him off in a pond in october and pick her up in the spring? he was picked up from a beach about a month ago so i am going to assume that he hibernates.. and he is going to want to do so this winter..i mean i really love the little guy.. i do want to make sure he's in the best possible place.. and if not.. then give him away or release him? he's been out of the wild for a month now.. he was found on a beach and then the people who found him couldn't take care of him so they gave him so i took him in.. and its going great.. outside.. in my huge grassy dirt filled garden.. with an inground tob thing that i bought.. and even an umbrella for shade... just today i bought him crickets and shrimp food. he loves it.. but again.. i live in new jersey.. and it gets cold and snows... i need help and ideas..