A couple of years ago I started measuring the temperatures within the hibernacula here in central VA. The temperatures below ground remained fairly stable in comparison to the air temperature, and typically range from 40F-45F throughout much of the winter, occasionally dipping below 40F but never by much, even if the outside air was in the teens.

Keep in mind that the objective (as far as the turtles are concerned)is to *not freeze* rather than to stay warm. Compost does indeed generate heat which can actually be counterproductive (and possibly very unhealthy or even deadly for your turtles) during the winter.

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