>>We had an incident that postponed basically all my thoughts on hibernation.

Sorry to hear that...are you sure it was a rat, and not a raccoon or skunk? I should mention--I keep my Waterland tub covered when outdoors--bought the "lid" (which amounts to little more than a ring around the edge) and affixed 1/2-inch hardware cloth to act more or less as a screen top.

we do have a basement but it never gets below the mid 60's.

Depending on the construction of your home, you might also have luck using your garage. Regardless of your past experience, I'd measure the temps in both your garage AND your basement...especially at the floor of your basement (where I presume the turtles would be). I have about a 5-degree difference currently between head-height (where my geckos currently live, up on shelves) and the floor. You might be able to get by with keeping the turtles in the garage until it gets REALLY cold outside, then moving them into the basement at that time.

Depending on the primary function of the basement, you might also look into closing the ducts (if present) to keep the temps down (not a good choice if you use the basement as a primary living space!). I keep the ducts closed to help ensure the 50s-range temps; I don't spend a WHOLE lot of time in the basement but in the winter I use a space heater for that area in which I do, and only when I need it.
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

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