General Care Discussion :: Hybernation

[laturcotte]

Big Problem. I am from Massachusetts. My two RES have gotten really big, I have no place to house them inside so we built a new pond approx 1000 gallon, one place approx 5 feet deep. My plans were to winter them outside this year. I now understand they will not survive. One is aprox 4 yrs old, a new rescue and my other, Moose, I have had since she was a few weeks old and is now 3. What am I going to do!!!?? I am panicking.

[SpotsMama]

Why is it that your turtles wouldn't survive outside over the winter?

Most people with outside turtles overwinter them inside in big rubber tubs like rubbermaid tubs or stock tanks. These are pretty portable and can sit on the floor almost anywhere.

Are the turtles outside in the pond right now? How is that working out?

[marisa]

How deep is the pond? Are your turtles healthy?

[laturcotte]

The 3 yr old (Moose) was raised in the house but spends her summers in the small pond (June-September) then housed back in the house. She is about 7 or 8 inches now. She is now housed in the new large pond. G who is new is about 9 -10 inches and this is my first summer with her, she was housed in my Master bedroom jacuzzi until I could put her in the small pond. If I were to house them inside they would have to be separated (they fight in close confinement), I just do not have the room for 2 50-75 gallon enclosures. I thought the large pond was the perfect solution. Even though they would chase each other the pond is big enough with plenty of hiding places even land to get out on.

I was speaking with a conservationist who told me that RES are not native to the area (cold weather) and will not survive the winter hybernation. If they were not raised to hybernate they would not know how. Does anyone know how true this is. I just don't know what to do, I can't give them up.

[laturcotte]

Sorry, I have 4 levels in the pond the deepest being 4.5 - 5 feet. both turtles are extremely healthy.

[cooleststan]

I am gong to have this problem in a few years as well. Is the new england winter too tough for turtles to sruvive outdoors in MA?

[SpotsMama]

Here's a map of the normal range for RES:

http://www.redearslider.com/basic_species_info.html

It's not showing any RES living wild in New England.

I don't think you're going to find many people on here that hibernate their turtles in the winter but there are some. I believe some where it's cold have used heaters in their ponds to keep them from freezing over. You could do a search and see what they have to say. I agree that the fact that your turtles are grown and have never been through hibernation is a complicating factor in addition to the cold.

Really, if there is any way you could bring them inside for the winter months that would be best. There are a number of New Englanders on here. They might be able to give you helpful tips on how they're handling the winters.

[laturcotte]

I spoke to someone that raise Koi and winters them in her pond. She uses an airation system to keep the water from freezing over the top of a part of the pond. She does, also have a heater. I am going to look into this system her pond is a natural pond and about 100 feet wide and 300 feet long, but she just keeps a small area open. We have a very small pet store in town and he had 1 turtle in a very large square set up with rubber liner must have been 150 gallon, maybe I'll see if I can kennel them there. Again my only problem is they don't get along. Also, the new female for whatever reason has to get out of the water and dig, as if to lay eggs. If you guys remember she laid 16 eggs when I got her and about a week later 2 or 3 more. I had her examined, x rayed but she has no more eggs. The land area where she lives is full of holes where she "lays her eggs". I have goats, geese, birds, dogs, fish with less problems combined but they are part of the family.

New Englanders help!

[DavidY]

The fact that they are not normally found this far north tells me that they will not survive the winters here outdoors. If they could then they would have established themselves here long ago considering how many people buy them as pets and then try to get rid of them later. Most shelters won't take them cause there's just too many so you gotta figure that there must have been a lot of them released into nearby ponds and waterways, yet I have never seen a RES in the wild even as far south as Massachusetts. I think it's probably the extremely dry air as well as the cold from mid fall through late spring.

[laturcotte]

I can't tell you how helpful you all have been. I would have been devastated come Spring. I am going to speak with the pet store in town to see if he can keep the new girl over the winter. I will house Moose in the 50 gallon black ready made pond or back to my jacuzzi. It is really ashame they don't get along. The petco in Springfield sell these guys, at least 5-6 a week, it is really sad. I dont even want to imagine what happens to them when they get full grown.

Again, thank you all. I will let you know how things turn out.

[SpotsMama]

I think your plan sounds very workable. You're doing the right thing.

It's too bad we can't tell those turtles to "just get along". It would make things simpler for all of us.

[steve]

Not that I'm suggesting that you should hibernate your turtles, but it is possible for them to survive under 5 feet. Though I don't know if 1000 gallons would proved that depth. The pond needs the appropriate substrate and aeration but since Massachusetts can get some pretty severe winters, I'd be very reluctant. The heater might actually make it too warm for the turtles to hibernate. Since these are captive turtles, I would not attempt any type of hibernation.

Good luck!

[laturcotte]

I will not be hibernating these girls. I would never forgive myself if anything should happen to them. Thanks.