Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Time to prep the hibernacula and say 'Au revoir' to the turtles for the winter, after one last weigh-in for the season.

Time flies: this summer was pretty brutal for us and I'm hoping next year will be a little more tolerable.

Mine are outdoors, requiring zero prep for the winter nap. They just gradually disappear as the temps drop. Then there is a chance to get in the pen and do a little winter house keeping with over-grown plants and fallen branches. Kinda like cleaning up the gameroom after the kids have gone to bed...

Lucky you! I have to dig out the hibernacula each autumn as the soil gets compacted over the course of the summer. It is the only prep job but it is a big one.
Once the turtles go under I'll do a little landscape tweaking by adding some plants and relocating a log pile or two.

How deep do you dig? I've started digging behind my shed and partly underneath it. I'm down around 2 feet deep so far. I plan on mixing the existing soil with peat 50/50 and filling back my hole. Do I just introduce them to it when I'm done and hope they use it?

2 feet should be fine...I would consider adding more peat to the mix, or fallen leaves, as it helps create air pockets.

I usually prep the hibernacula, remove any other tempting leaf piles or cover, and put the turtles right next to the created shelter. They tend to snuggle right in on their own.

I do check regularly to make sure none of them have crawled out and tried to take cover somewhere else. It can take a while for them to go under and STAY under, and they can emerge during a warm spell, so be vigilant.

Steph,
Huge help. Thanks!