Habitat - Outdoor :: Pond Question

[MyTurtles'sKeeper]

I'm about to build a pond in my backyard. The deepest part of my pond is going to be 4 feet deep and the shallow part will be around 2 feet. I'm in the process of learning about RES Turtles. My biggest question is how they Hibernate. Do I have to have dirt for them to dig a hole in or just deep water. I would rather they not dig in the ground so I knew where they were when they were hibernating. If I understand right they hibernate in deep water or by digging a hole in the dirt. I live in California and in the winter time it gets kind of cold. Maybe around 60 degrees. If it gets that cold they will hibernate but whats best deep water or ground or both.

I plan to build under water caves that they can crawl into. My whole idea for the deep water is to give them deep water if they need to hide from unwanted guest. But I notice some ponds don't have dirt. I want to know what I should do. If I had 5 turtles I would not have that much land for them to dig. This whole hibernating makes me wonder whats best. I still have lots to learn.

Is deep water all they need in the cold weather to hibernate or do they need dirt?

[RR38]

No they dont need dirt. RES (pretty much any water turtle for that matter) dont hibernate, they brumate. Big difference. Hiberantion is where the animal shuts down some of its organs and goes into a deep sleep. Brumating is where the animal just slows down significantly. If you look in a pond during winter, you will see turtles swimming very slowly on the bottom. 4 feet deep should be plenty deep for overwintering turtles in california. Only question I have is the whole pond 4 feet deep or just a small part of it? Also I have to say, when you said 60 degrees is cold, I laughed so hard I spewed my gatorade everywhere. Its gets down to the teens in the winter and then summer temps are in the 90s and 100s here in kentucky where I live.

[thequangsta]

@RR38 if u think were babies with 60 degree weather think about Southern Californians they thought 69 was cold.

[steve]

I replied in your other topic... but basically it's a very tricky thing to do and would be a good idea to consult local keepers: http://www.tortoise.org/

More info here: http://www.redearslider.com/hibernation.html

[MyTurtles'sKeeper]

No they dont need dirt. RES (pretty much any water turtle for that matter) dont hibernate, they brumate. Big difference. Hiberantion is where the animal shuts down some of its organs and goes into a deep sleep. Brumating is where the animal just slows down significantly. If you look in a pond during winter, you will see turtles swimming very slowly on the bottom. 4 feet deep should be plenty deep for overwintering turtles in california. Only question I have is the whole pond 4 feet deep or just a small part of it? Also I have to say, when you said 60 degrees is cold, I laughed so hard I spewed my gatorade everywhere. Its gets down to the teens in the winter and then summer temps are in the 90s and 100s here in kentucky where I live.

Only a small part will be 4 feet deep. I have not started yet so it can still be changed. I'm just doing the research so I do it right the first time.

It does get below 50 degrees here. It even snows from time to time where I live. But most of the time its above 50 degrees.

I want a deep part for them to have a place to hide and also have a place for them to go for warmer water in the winter if I understand right.

[Linus]

I leave my RES outside over the winter and have been doing this for 4+ years now. I live in SoCal and my pond is only 2.5 ft at its deepest point.

First, you can't just put the turtle out there in the fall and expect it to last the winter. You need to put the turtle outside in the summer. That way they get used to the weather, including cool nights. As the temperature slowly changes throughout the year, they acclimate with it. By the time winter comes, they're ready for it. I wouldn't recommend doing this with a baby or maybe even a juvie. And of course there are always chances the turtle won't survive the winter.

PS If you plan on having a turtle outside in California you better have some sort of net or cage over the pond or raccoons will get in, trust me-i've had it happen.