General Care Discussion :: Pre-Hibernation Question

[fluffytheturtle]

Ok. First let me explain for those who don't know. I am probably one of the only ones on this site who lets their turtle hibernate. I live where RES's are native and my turtle came to the house and she was most likely wild. She has a pond in the backyard, but it is 1/2 foot short for hibernation. (It needs to be 3ft deep and I found out after I had the pond put in. Once I get my own house I will have a very big pond built for her). She hibernates in a garden area covered under a porch under lots of dead leaves. She did last winter. Picture:




I hope she is okay. It is fall now, but it gets down to the 60s and up to the low 90s. On Sunday Fluffy went to dig her hibernating hole (well a couple of them - no she is not pregnant LOL) My dad said he sees her walk around, bask and go in the pond a little in the late mornings. Other than that, she is awake or asleep in the garden most of the time.

Am I supposed to be feeding her? If I do will she only eat what she is supposed to?

I tried contacting my local reptile association RES expert, but they still haven't gotten back to me! Please help.

Jennifer

[fluffytheturtle]

I was hoping someone could help me, but here is an update:

I went out this morning to show her some lettuce and see if she was interested. I think she was half asleep cause it took her like a minute, then she raised up and walked a little bit. I put it in her pond for her and went inside. Now she is in the pond nibbling on the lettuce. I only put two small leaves in. I am not sure how much she should be eating now or if she will stop on her own.

It is 74 degrees outside. Is that too cold for her to be eating?

[SpotsMama]

Oldturtle72 has some good posts on temperature for turtles and outdoor habitates. Here's a couple:

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... light=cold

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... light=cold

I did an advance search on cold and Oldturtle72 (author) and outdoor habitate (forum). You might look further in that area - there's quite a lot of stuff.

I think Oldturtle72 said at 50 degrees it's dangerous for them to eat.

[fluffytheturtle]

Now she is out basking and playing in her pond. I just fed her some red leaf and pumpkin. She is devouring the lettuce! LOL