Habitat - Outdoor :: outdoor concerns

[mike909]

Hello, I did some looking at some threads and some reading here, but I didn't want to hijack anyone elses thread, so i'm starting a new one.
Ok, so anyway I have my pond outside built and functioning with waterfall and Bioforce500 filter for approx. 8 months now without any animals.
Here is what it looks like, with the exception that I recently added a log that sticks out the top for more basking room/natural look.
Here is basically what we are working with:

EDIT: damn, forgot how to insert an image...anyway here is the direct link.
I would like to get a RES, but after reading and talking to some people around here I still have some remaining questions.
Ok...
#1. I live in Las Vegas NV, which I believe is a zone 8 so it's fairly warm here. I don't know how cold the water gets, but the air can get as low as 40 F at night and 60 F during the day. The water never freezes in the winter but it does seem to get very cold. I will have to get a thermo to be sure...but moving on...Bringing the turtle inside the house is not an option. I'm guessing you are going to say I must buy a heater. Some local pet store people around here say that around late October they will go into a hibernate mode and I just stop feeding them untill it gets warm again. Probably not the healthiest thing for the turtule, so I guess I'm just wondering if anyone else has a RES in that sort of climate that stays outside all year round and what do they do?
#1-subsectionB: if I get a heater, do I need the entire pond heated evenly, or can I put one in under the waterfall, for example, and just make sure that at least half the pond is allways above 70 F?
#2. I spent a lot of time making my pond aesthetically pleasing and I really do not want to put a fence around it. My backyard is blocked in by gates/brick wall, so they can't escape the back yard. I don't mind so much if they wander around the yard, but I don't want them to start to wander then forget how to get back to the water and die. Is that a concern? My yard is small (approx 35 feet by 20 feet).

I plan to get a decent size slider (6"?), as I think it has a better chance of surviving. There are no real natural predators around here (depressing desert, not much animal life). I think there are some cats in the neighborhood, but that's about it.
Any input is greatly appreciated...I think that's all I had as far as main concerns go. Great website btw. nice design, easy to navigate.

[marisa]

Welcome. I couldn't click on the only link you gave. Where is the direct link?

[missibsu]

If the air temp drops below 70F, then you aren't going to want to leave the turtle outside, even with a water heater. Likewise, you don't want the water to be too warm either. Most people who keep RES in ponds bring them in for the winter. Because you pond is aesthetically, my guess is that you don't have a thick layer of mud for safe hibernation. It isn't recommended that you try to hibernate your turtle, because most don't survive.

Size wise, you are looking at 10 gallons per inch of shell length, so if you were to provide for the turtle inside during the winter, make sure you can meet those needs as well.

[mike909]

Thanks for the quick replies...

If the air temp drops below 70F, then you aren't going to want to leave the turtle outside, even with a water heater.

Well, in the desert it definately drops below 70 at night and you are correct, all I have is gravel and rocks...no thick layer of mud.

Welcome. I couldn't click on the only link you gave. Where is the direct link?

strange, the direct link works for me. Either way, if you can't get to it you could allways just browse to my website: http://www.mikealbano.com then click on Pictures and in the 'our house' section you will see my pond album. Direct links should work though (they work for me).
Anyways, missibsu sais that I should bring them inside regardless if it drops below 70. I think most parts of the USA drop below 70 in the winter months...so I guess I should not get RES turtles. Anyone know if by chance there are turtles that can better handle below 70 temps? Bringing them inside is not an option.

[missibsu]

www.austinsturtlepage.com has extensive care sheets on other turtles aside from RES. You can go there and browse. I'm really not sure. I know that many pond keepers run into this same problem, they want turtles in their pond, but can't effectively care for them in the winter.

[mike909]

Took a look at it. The coldes watter temperature I found was for this North American Wood Turtle. 60-70 F. After reading some more about it, it is Native to the north east and it seems like it might be too warm here in the desert. They like to hibernate in the winter, and I don't think my pond can offer hibernation (not enough gravvel on the bottom). So, I believe my only option is to plan on heating my pond to keep the temp up, or not getting a turtle at all. Missibu, would you please elaborate on why heatinng it is not a good idea? Is it because the outside air temp is too low for them to bask? Here in Las Vegas, it's still warm most days of the winter (the Sun is allways out).

[missibsu]

I never said that heating wasn't a good idea...if you get a turtle, then a heater is recommended. And, I would make sure that the whole pond is heated.

RES, especially younger ones, are susceptible to respritory infections and pneumonia. The fluxuating air temps between day and night can leave them vulnerable to these illnesses. For captive RES, a stable environment is needed, because as keepers we are unable to provide them with the same environment they would have in the wild.

I'm sure others would be able to elaborate on it more. I just know that from reading on this site, that RES shouldn't be outside in weather less than 70F.

[mike909]

Anyone care to comment on the whole 'escape' thing? Like I said, I don't mind them wandering around my small yard, and they can't get out of the yard. I'm just wondering if they will crawl out of the pond and forget how to get back to it (farthest they could ever be away from it is 30 feet).

[steve]

They should be able to find a way back. However, my turtle likes to hide under bushes and bury herself sometimes but as long as it is not difficult to make it back into the water then it should be fine.

[mike909]

Ok, thanks for the reply.