Res's can survive without full-hibernation in temps that don't get below freezing, and that without eating for a couple of months or more. I was afraid of this and had thought mine would starve. I'd had them-2 yb's and 2 res's-in a pond since November. The ybs didn't eat until March, the res's only intermittently.
Now, my turtles have awoken from their slumber unscathed. For anyone thinking about hibernating your res's, I recommend just letting them brumate at the bottom, with preferrably a foot of water or more.
They look fine, but like I'd said, I was afraid. But hibernating is not only more natural, but also more cost-effective. They're now up and about, sun about 3-4 hours a day, and are eating regularly.
The benefits of hibernating are that the turtles live more natural, and seem to even grow alittle during the course of hibernation.
