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Post by bigdaddy66 on Jan 7, 2013 16:07:32 GMT
Hi all I rescued a terrapin from the bin 3 years ago, he is a big boy, about 12 inches long 8 inches wide and weighs about 5 kgs. He lived in my garden pond alongside the fish for the first 2 years without any problems. He never came out of the water last winter surfacing about april and we found he had an eye infection. This was treated and he was bathed in reptoboost to give him vitamins. We were advised to bring him indoors to warm him up which we did but he always wants out of the tank. He basks under his lamp and eats lots of plants and vegtables and trys to climb out if we have the lid up. Thats a bit about our situation and our boy. We would like to know if terrapins who live indoors hibernate. Whenever we let him out of the tank for his exercize he trys to hide in the corner, should we box him up for winter as you would with tortoises
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Post by turtlegirl on Jan 7, 2013 23:19:41 GMT
What species of turtle is he? He may be some type of snapper as he sounds far too big and heavy to be a slider.Could you post a photo of him on the Forum so we can identify species and give proper advice for his species? Trying to escape is normal behaviour -almost every turtle and tortoise will attempt it and make a dash for freedom when it gets the chance, even tiny babies. Be careful as theycan lift tank lids and climb quite high if they are determined to get out. Mine have escaped several times.
With most species of turtles and tortoises hibernation is optional not compulsory. Before you hibernate them you have to make sure that they are heavy and have enough fat stores to see them through the winter. They also need to be 100% healthy -don't hibernate a sick animal. Also the pond needs to be very deep so they can hide n the mud at the bottom and not freeze over. Hibernation outside always carries some risk.Looks like yours managed to hibernate safely the first 2 years bu t since he has had an infection you should follow the vet's advice and keep him indoors active,awake and eating this winter. You need to make sure that he has a basking lamp and place to bask and that the water is warm enough for his species. If his tank is too cold he won;t be able to eat and digest his food. Provided they are kept at the right temp and have light turtles and tortoises will happily remain active and eating throughout the winter. I have never hibernated my turtles and they spend the winter nice and warm indoors. I also have 2 baby tortoises who will not be hibernating this year either as they are too small.
Hibernating aquatic turtles indoors is slightly more complicated than hibernating tortoises. Turtles need to be kept in shallow water which must be changed regularly without disturbing the turtle too much and waking it up. Not recommended for inexperienced owners.
Feel free to message me if you need any more help.
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