Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 3 red ear sliders 2 are full grown we took them over from someone who did not want them anymore. We have a small pr-fromed pond outside for them it is only about 20" or so deep, Okay the question do we need to put some durt in the bottom of this pond from them to winter in it? or will they come out and dig into the dirt outside the pond? If anyone has info on this we would really like to hear from you. They laid eggs and have them in the potted flower they laid them in , inside. It can get down to about 10 here in the winter.
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i would not hibernate RES in washington. I live in seattle, and the weather here is way too cold for turtles that live in the south eastern US. You could hibernate western painteds because they are native here, but i wouldnt do RES's. I wouldnt even keep them outside other than than in the summertime. Its like 50degrees outside right now. way tooooo cold

Listen, I'm not a professional but I'm going to have to dispute that last comment and say Yes, you can hibernate res's in Washington. Actually, the colder the better. Res's have been as far North as Illinois, and perhaps even farther. They can exist in South Korea, where there are millions of ferrals, and there it gets down there.

As for your question, I believe you can just let them 'brumate' at the bottom and don't need any dirt. But never mind them wintering outside the water. Some do this but from what I've learned, and if the temps don't get too far below freezing, they should be fine.

Trust me. I'm doing the same in a similar climate and have even seen sliders in Lake Washington there in Seattle. But by all means seek the library or some professional assistance.