Our turtles came out of hibernation this week! We were very exited, as this was their first winter outdoors and hibernating. We read so many posts from others with ponds and took many's advise. We filled the pond as high as we could which gave them at least 3 foot deep to be in, filled the bottom of the deep part with leaves, mud and an old plastic bucket to hide in. Covered the whole pond with an adapted frame of an old screen tent, and cut out the nylon roof and sewed up the screen part to make a screen cover to drape over the entire pond to keep out unwanted things. We also put in a de-icer unit and kept a tank heater on full at the bottom of the shallow end to keep the water from freezing. It was about 38-40 all winter with the freezing weather we had, luckily no snow. The two of them went down about mid november I think, and came up this week ready to bask and full of energy. I will post a picture right here of the contraption I built. Here it is:
This is with the screen top folded back for sunlight. Did alot of good I think. At least I didnt have to worry about them all winter! Its very windy here being close to a lake, and we have alot of limbs falling, didnt want them to end up on a turtle head. We were quite nervous all winter long, especially for Lou since weve had her for 8 years now. She came up to the edge to visit today, a happy reunion.
Next comes the aesthetics. It is ugly for sure, but not for long. Better bricks, plants, bark chips, grass, maybe a waterfall for them to play in. We will post pics of our progress.
