Scales and Tales - Are your Turtles ready for Hibernation?

Box Turtle Hibernation

 

Mid September to mid October is the time when box turtles in the wild and our captive program turtles living outdoors are preparing to hibernate. Although the reasons are not exactly clear, box turtles tend to be healthier and live longer if they hibernate during the colder months of the year.

 

Our program turtles live in various habitats in our parks, so their hibernation procedures will vary.

 

 

Box Turtles Living Outdoors

Turtles will begin eating less and less as the weather gets cooler. It is not uncommon for

them to stop eating a few weeks just before hibernating. It is still important to provide water for drinking and soaking as the turtle prepares to hibernate. Their enclosure should be in an area that does not flood or collect runoff water and it should be predator proof.

 Turtles need to be able to dig down a foot to two feet in loose soil. Loosen any soil already in the enclosure and add more if necessary. A thick layer (1 to 2 feet) of dead leaves can be added on top of the soil for added insulation. It’s best if rain and snow can reach the leaf layer.

Turtles must adapt to the lower fall and winter temperatures very slowly to achieve a healthy hibernation. Ones kept in outdoor enclosures will do this naturally. Check the enclosure daily during the winter, and watch for the turtle to emerge when warm days arrive in the early spring. Be sure water is available. Turtles may not eat right away when they emerge in the spring, but food can be offered. They may bury back under the soil and leaves on cool nights until the weather is consistently warm.

 

Box Turtles Kept Inside

There are many ways to hibernate turtles kept inside during the year. If your turtles are healthy, keep doing what you have done in the past.

 Here are a few general considerations:

•  Turtles must be cooled slowly over a week or two.
• Stop feeding for 14 days before they start hibernating to clear their gastrointestinal tract.
• Continue to provide water for drinking and soaking.
• Record the pre and post hibernating weights of the turtle in grams.
• Shredded newspaper, Zoo Med Repti-bark© (can be drying), and moss can be used in the container.
• The container should have air holes.
• Foam insulating panels can be cut and duct taped together to form a more temperature consistent barrier. The container needs to be secure (latching lid) and should be labeled “Hibernating Turtle: Do not disturb”.
• Keep the container with the turtle in a location that is consistently 45-50° F.
• Check on the hibernating turtle often.
• After 3 to 4 months, slowly, over the course of a week or two, bring its core body temperature back to summer-like temperature and high humidity.

One important note: Don’t hibernate sick, underweight, or very young box turtles. Keep

them indoors in a roomy, well heated tank with appropriate lighting and feed all winter long.

For additional information, search for box turtle care and box turtle hibernation. Only use reliable (peer reviewed) sources. Of note, captive snakes can also be hibernated in containers following the same indoor methods.

 

This Scales and Tales Blog was brought to you by our first Guest Blogger, John Zuke!

 

John Zuke is an elementary school teacher by profession with a life-long fascination with the natural world.  He retired from the Frederick County Public Schools system after teaching for 30 years.  He worked as a seasonal naturalist and volunteer at Cunningham Falls State Park for 3 years.  In off-hours, he spends quality time with his motorcycle and camera traveling back roads enjoying the scenery and day hiking.

 

Do you have more Scales and Tales Questions?  Leave them in the blog comments, or you can E-Mail Sarah Milbourne directly (smilbourne@dnr.state.md.us).

Ranger Sarah Milbourne is the Scales and Tales Coordinator and Animal Care Specialist for the Maryland Park Service.