Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have two RESs - one is 16 years old and the other is 11 years old - and both are in good health. As long as I have had them they have never hibernated, but I was recently told that it would be beneficial for them to hibernate sometime soon. I have found a lot of information regarding how to go about doing this, but much of it has been conflicting. What's the best and safest way to help them hibernate?

It depends on where you live and how much ice forms on the water. If it gets extremely cold, be careful. Otherwise, res's can just brumate at the bottom, without any mud or loose debris.

I've done it successfully, but my location is in a sub-tropical climate. If you're in a very cold climate, you will need to take precautions with lack of oxygen, so just make sure you have a bubbler going throughout the winter. You may want to put some much at the bottom of you pond or pool too.

Make sure, however, you get them outside before winter hits, so they can adjust. Let them get used to the temps gradually. Putting them outside from a warmer temp could kill them.

More is to be said.

I live in Nebraska where we often get sub-zero temperatures in the winter. Is there any way that I could make this work in the house? I have an unheated garage.

There's debate as to whether or not res's can hibernate in the frigid cold, though I've seen them in Illinois. It's up to you to research this, though I think it's quite possible since I'd caught a few in Illinois and figure that they must've hibernated.

But I think you'd have to use a lot of muck if you do this yourself. If you hibernate them indoors, the temps wouldn't be sufficient enough. It has to get cold enough for them to go into hibernation. But you might be able to pull it off in the garage.

Just make sure you have an aerator so the water doesn't lose oxygen. I don't think it should be a problem. Yet if you do this, you have to start getting them used to the temps now.

>>There's debate as to whether or not res's can hibernate in the frigid cold, though I've seen them in Illinois. It's up to you to research this, though I think it's quite possible since I'd caught a few in Illinois and figure that they must've hibernated.
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>>But I think you'd have to use a lot of muck if you do this yourself. If you hibernate them indoors, the temps wouldn't be sufficient enough. It has to get cold enough for them to go into hibernation. But you might be able to pull it off in the garage.
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>>Just make sure you have an aerator so the water doesn't lose oxygen. I don't think it should be a problem. Yet if you do this, you have to start getting them used to the temps now.

How deep would it have to be to let them brumate at bottom of pond in sub tropic climates?
Im asking cause my 6 moved outside last spring (actually in my florida room/ enclosed patio, here in central Florida it hardly gets real cold, but weve already had 2 cold fronts early this year, where I brought them inside in rubbermaids.

I believe the lowest would be 43 so far, so the temp around my pond being enclosed was 53. I dont know how cold the water gets a t night, but in daytime its back at 73 an hour after the sun comes up
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1.1.0 YBS
1.3.0 RES
1.0.0 red belly cooter
1.0.0 Fire belly toad
0.0.1 Savannah Monitor
0.0.1 Blackthroat monitor
0.1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.1.0 Mountain Horned dragon
2.1.0 Ball pythons
cats, dog, ferrets, rabbit, rats.

It should be about 15" deep, but if a little lower it's okay. I'm from Flordida too, have hibernated some in a plastic pond about a foot deep.

Don't bring them in if it gets too cold. They'll be allright. If you bring them in they'll have to readjust, could get sick.

>>It should be about 15" deep, but if a little lower it's okay. I'm from Flordida too, have hibernated some in a plastic pond about a foot deep.
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>>Don't bring them in if it gets too cold. They'll be allright. If you bring them in they'll have to readjust, could get sick.

THANKS. Its about 18 inches deep. Im in Central Florida and we are cooler than usual, I think last night was in the 40s. I see them at the bottom moving around, just less than usual, on Sunday I saw 3 basking but air has been cooler since
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1.1.0 YBS
1.3.0 RES
1.0.0 red belly cooter
1.0.0 Fire belly toad
0.0.1 Savannah Monitor
0.0.1 Blackthroat monitor
0.1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.1.0 Mountain Horned dragon
2.1.0 Ball pythons
cats, dog, ferrets, rabbit, rats.