China, we have them at our cottage up in West Branch to .. but I hear Great Fen is Spotted capitol!

I am aware that Spotteds are not that good of swimers and prefer shallow waters ... that was kind of why I wasnt sure if they hibernated buried down under water of if they buried them self down into mud/leaves/etc. on land.

So they do most always hibernate buried down on land or its kinda just however they decide at the time?