When turtles enter hibernation, they are prone to issues, and here are five precautions to consider.
- Choose a darker place in your home for hibernation, as such an environment can reduce disturbances to the turtle, avoid direct sunlight, and maintain a more stable temperature.
- Regular inspection. Although many people may think that they no longer need to pay attention to the turtle once it has entered hibernation, it is actually very important to develop a good habit of regular inspection. We need to check if the turtle is sick, if it has been harmed by rodents or insects, and whether the bedding material used during hibernation needs further humidification.
- During shallow water hibernation, it is necessary to regularly change the water source because turtles still carry out metabolism while hibernating. Therefore, we recommend changing the water once a month. If the water is not changed for a long time, it may lead to your turtle being covered with fungus the following year.
- Closely monitor the hibernation temperature. The most suitable hibernation temperature for most turtles is generally between five to fifteen degrees Celsius. If we notice through weather forecasts that the temperature has risen significantly recently, or if the indoor temperature exceeds fifteen degrees Celsius, we need to prepare for emergence in time. We can also maintain low temperatures by placing them in the refrigerator’s cooling compartment to delay emergence.
- Feed sparingly after emergence. Many people think that the turtle must be very hungry since it has not eaten during hibernation and cannot help but want to feed it. I can only say, you must control yourself. At this time, the turtle’s physical functions still need some time to recover. If you feed a large amount of food at this stage, the turtle is very likely to suffer from diseases such as enteritis.
The dormancy period is the most vulnerable time for turtles and also the period with the highest mortality rate during the entire hibernation. Finally, I hope everyone’s turtles can safely get through this winter.
Original article by KPTer, if reproduced, please cite the source: https://www.kaipet.com/en/turtle-hibernation-precautions-review-5-common-pitfalls