Spring is a time of bright sunshine and rejuvenation, with temperatures gradually warming up across the regions, marking the season when turtles begin to awaken from hibernation. As the temperature rises, turtles start to show signs of activity.
During this period leading up to their awakening, we must not be impatient. We must restrain our hands and our curiosity, and not rush to let the turtles awaken prematurely. If your turtle has safely survived the entire winter, we can afford to wait a few more days.
Otherwise, there is a high risk that premature awakening could be fatal for hibernating turtles. Early spring temperatures are still quite unstable, and blindly exposing them to the outdoors could lead to encounters with the turtle’s archenemy, the “Late Spring Chill.”
The temperature has warmed up in recent days, but there is a possibility of sudden temperature drops. The correct approach is to observe the local weather forecast to see if there is a possibility of sudden cold snaps in the next seven to fifteen days.
Suppose the average temperature in your area has been around 20 degrees Celsius, with particularly pleasant sunlight during the day, and the turtles show some signs of revival. However, if a cold front is expected to hit soon, causing temperatures to drop below 15 degrees Celsius or even lower. At such times, awakening the turtles blindly is very dangerous.
We should wait until the temperatures consistently rise and gradually stabilize before arranging for the turtles to awaken. Since turtles are ectothermic animals, especially when they first wake up from hibernation, their bodily functions and physical condition have not yet reached their best state.
Premature awakening, if met with a late spring chill and a sudden drop in temperature, is likely to cause the turtles to be unable to adapt to the sudden temperature difference, leading to physical abnormalities and potentially death. Such a tragedy is something we all wish to avoid.
Secondly, during early spring, we should not feed the turtles blindly, even if they are willing to eat. The turtles have just woken up and their digestive functions have not yet recovered. Excessive food can be a significant burden on them, easily leading to diseases such as gastroenteritis. If a sudden cold wave hits again and the turtles return to hibernation, the undigested food in their stomachs can be very dangerous.
To ensure the turtles safely pass through the early spring period, the best method is to keep them in a state of rest and wait without disturbance. Allow the turtles to gradually adapt in their hibernation environment until April or even May, when the temperature is thoroughly warm, before moving them into a larger tank, providing them with a safe and stable transition period.
Well, that’s all for today. If you find this helpful, please like, follow, and share. See you next time, goodbye.
Original article by KPTer, if reproduced, please cite the source: https://www.kaipet.com/en/turtles-awakening-hibernation-beware-late-spring-chill