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Hi everyone,

I am a proud owner of two RES turtles that live in an outdoor pond in Phoenix AZ. I got the turtles from Petco in May when and they were about a year old when I got them. After I adopted them, I moved them into my outdoor pond --which they love-- but I worry about them being able to make it through the colder months. I heard mud and/or leaves are the best thing to have at the bottom of your pond when they brumate during the cold months. I currently have Sand at the bottom of my pond. Is this alright?

I'd wait for some of the others who do hibernate to chip in… I don't think it's absolutely necessary but it helps. It also depends on the amount of water, it's depth and the temperatures.