General Care Discussion :: Frozen Pond

[tchealy]

I have 2 redearsliders age unknown. For the last two winters I have let them go into hibernation. The pond is about 6 feet across and 3 feet deep. Unfortunately it got real cold and the power went out. The pond is frozen over and the heater is now under the ice. What can i do to thaw out the pond or should I let it happen naturally? The avg. temp at night has been in the teens but we are expecting a warming trend. I have had no issues over the last two winters and the turtles seemed very healthy when they went into hibernation.

If it is Ok for the pond to freeze over for a short period of time please advise as to how long this can be.

[steve]

Where are you located? Is there a way you can check on their status?

[Boston_Zhao]

I am sure I saw quite some RES in a pond in Williams Zoom in Rhode Island last summer. but as everybody knows the winter in NE is bitterly cold, ponds and lakes are all frozen for 3 months, I just wonder where and how they spend these months.... bottom of pond? Do they still have heartbeat? do they need to breathe?

[tchealy]

I am in Balto. Md I was able to get a small opening in the ice but I have no way to check on their status. The pond froze the last two winters but the heaters were able to keep an opening in the ice. The ice is about 6 inches thick.

[steve]

Theoretically they can survive in hibernation as long as the pond doesn't completely freeze. What kind of substrate do you have? You need to make sure that the water is aerated and I wish you the best of luck.

[marisa]

Their metabolisms slow down during hibernation, and they'd use relatively little air. That said, depending on what else is in the pond and how long it stays covered, I supposed it is possible for the air to be used up eventually. Can you get a pick axe or other tool and chip a hole/an area out of the ice?

[Boston_Zhao]

In that freezing temp I guess they are unable to move at all, does a hole really help them get air? They dont breathe in water anyway......

[steve]

They still need oxygen during hibernation in which they will absorb it from the water through the membranes of mouths, throats and cloaca.