Habitat - Outdoor :: RES Hibernation

[dad1615]

My RES that I bought 6 months ago is about 6 inches in lenght. I have him in my outdoor pond and about 2 weeks ago, he has left the pond and partial buried himself by a bush. Twice, I put him back in the pond and twice he went back to the bush. I live in southern Arizona, where the temp is around 95 deg. and between 60-75 in the winter.
Is this normal and should I leave him alone?

[CountryGirl68]

What is the water temperature during the day? It could be that the water is too warm and he's trying to find a cool place to hide under. Maybe you can cover part of the pond so the sun isn't shining on the entire area. Also, I would recommend you find a way to enclose the edges of the pond. You wouldn't want him wandering even further because others have "lost" their turtles for hours even days after they have escaped.

[steve]

And how big is the pond? There is nothing to entice a RES to stay in a small pond.

[dad1615]

It's a 600 gal pond with a 12" dia rock to sun. The temp is around 82 deg and 70 at night. 12-22 deep with several Koi and gold fish.

[steve]

The warm water could be making him uncomfortable. Does he return to the pond at all? Has his eating habits changed at all?

[fluffytheturtle]

Was this a wild turtle, or a turtle brought up in a house in a tank?

I have found that mine seems to know what is best for it better than I do. When Fluffy first came to me and she was put in the backyard with a pond, she forgot she was a water turtle! She would be in this garden area (pic in General Discussion) for almost the whole summer. I thought it was because she was too hot, but I think it is because she wasn't used to her surroundings and me and my family yet.

RES can be shy, but once they know who you are and that you have food, you are their best friend!

You may want to try putting some feeder fish in a water bowl next to your turtle so they know you are their friend! Then, after they see it and you and go after it, the next time get some lettuce and put it in the bowl. Then you can show the RES the lettuce the next time and see if it follows you or show it you are putting it in the pond! Soon it will know it is ok and the pond is all their's!