Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been thinking for sometime now about getting a turtle. I've been reading around the net for a couple of weeks and at this point in time have narrowed it down to the Eastern box turtle as my turtle of choice.

Except this whole hibernation thing makes me a little nervous. Is it necessary for them to hibernate? Can temps just be steady and they not hibernate? Just like my lizards don't brumate?

I know it's a natural thing for them, but I'm not finding much consistency on necessary temps etc...

I'm very interested in hearing from people who have box turtles as to what they do, and how they do it.

Also, Does anyone know a breeder in Canada? All the adds I'm finding are US
Many thanks

The main issue with box turtles as pets is their long life. Is a person willing and able to keep a box turtle healthy and happy for many decades? That should be a question every thoughtful person should ask themselves before getting a box turtle.

A long hibernation is not necessary to keep a turtle healthy, a short one will work. In my case, since my turtles live outside and they see and feel the changing seasons, they want to hibernate and I let them, but in a controlled manner inside a large hibernation box that I keep in an outbuilding that has electricity. You can read about my hibernation box and about hibernation itself, online or in my book.
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Tess Cook
www.boxturtlesite.info