Turtles are poikilotherms, this means that they cannot control their body temperaturebut it depends on the ambient temperature. Now that you know this, are you interested in knowing if the turtles you have at home hibernate?
If you have one of these animals and you don't know if it has gone into hibernation, then this article on our site is for you. Learn everything you need to know about this process and find out if turtles hibernate or not. Keep reading!
Why do turtles hibernate?
Hibernation is a natural process for some animals in temperate climates. During hibernation these species minimize the functionality of their organs (heart and respiratory rate, stop moving, do not eat, drink, urinate or defecate).
In the case of turtles, they hibernate according to the outside temperature, so only those species from cold climates do so when they reach 10 degrees centigrade. Thus, not all turtles hibernate.
In this state of torpor, tortoises survive the winter by feeding on their fat reserves, consuming up to 1% of their weight for each month of hibernation.
Are you wondering why turtles hibernate? The answer is very simple: this allows them to maintain a metabolic rate throughout the year, since they feed better during the summer months and survive low temperatures of winter. In addition, this process guarantees the reproduction of the species, since it sexually stimulates the males and synchronizes the ovulation of the females.
Do all turtles hibernate?
NO. In this way, if you wonder if your turtle hibernates, the first thing you should know is what species your turtle belongs to, only then will you know if it hibernates in the wild or No. It is recommended that turtles under three years of age or that are sick do not hibernate.
If you think your pet is about to hibernate, watch closely for shell damage, sore eyes, or underweight for his species. In these cases, it is better not to make it hibernate.
These are some of the species of turtles that hibernate. If you don't know how to identify them, it's best to go to your trusted vet:
- Mediterranean tortoise (Testudo hermanni)
- Black Tortoise (Testudo graeca)
- Russian Tortoise (Testudo horsfieldi)
- Turtles of the genus Gopherus
- Spotted Tortoise (Clemmys guttata)
- Forest Terrapin (Clemmys insculpta)
- Florida Terrapin (Trachemys scripta elegans)
What to do when turtles hibernate?
If you have a turtle that hibernates in the wild, then you need to follow these tips.
Before hibernation
You must feed it very well during the summer, it is recommended that 6 weeks before hibernation you increase carbohydrates and vitamins in the diet of the turtle You can offer young plant shoots, alfalfa, as it is rich in calcium, fruits such as figs, melon or apples, pumpkin and carrots, as they are rich in vitamin A. When the time to go into hibernation approaches, about 2 or 3 weeks before, the tortoise should fast, as this will help to empty its digestive system and thus it will not get sick during the torpor process.
Apart from food, you should always have water available, since turtles are able to reabsorb water from the bladder to avoid lose it through urine.
It is very important that you understand that turtles hibernate in winter, not in summer, and that when turtles hibernate they don't eat, as We have already explained in previous sections. It is for this reason that it is so vital for them to feed properly before starting this process. Also, check the article with the "Forbidden food for gopher tortoises" and avoid them.
During hibernation
In the case of terrestrial species that hibernate outdoors, it is important that they have a area of spongy, moist soil where they can bury themselves. If they are going to hibernate inside the house, a small box with a little moist soil will be enough to create an ideal environment. The conditions and duration of hibernation will depend on the species, it is best that it is the same as it would be in the wild.
During the turtle's hibernation, avoid disturbing it. However, keep some regular checks to get closer to her and see that everything is going well. Check their weight before and during hibernation, assess their general condition, observe their eyes, nostrils and extremities.
If you detect signs of dehydration, such as dry skin, sunken eyes or weight loss, you should soak your turtle for about 2 hours at a temperature not exceeding 24 degrees Celsius. If it is hibernating outside, it may wake up on warmer days. When this happens, give him water to drink, but never food, remember that his digestive system must be empty to prevent him from getting sick.
After the period, how to wake up a hibernating turtle?
When the hibernation period ends, you must wake the turtle by exposing it to the sun so that it re-synthesizes vitamin D and balances its metabolism of calcium. You should also rehydrate her, since not only has she become dehydrated during hibernation, but she also needs to reactivate her urinary system. It is advisable to offer foods such as tomato or cucumber, as they are rich in water and will help your pet to rehydrate and reactivate the digestive system.
Do turtles hibernate in or out of their shell?
As you know, turtles burrow during the hibernation process and hide in their shell However, don't worry if it comes to wake up and move around, it is natural for it to come out of its shell when the temperature rises a bit, especially if it hibernates outside, where it is not possible to control the climate.
Remember that hibernation is a natural process in some species and, therefore, will help your turtle to have a better quality of life.
What if it won't hibernate?
If your turtle is under three years old or sick and you don't want it to hibernate, you should create a terrarium inside of your house. The idea is to emulate natural summer temperature conditions. Prepare a space with artificial lighting and keep it with at least 14 hours of light. Also, you should feed the turtle as usual.
While hibernation is critical to the ovulation process, other factors like humidity, temperature, and the presence of a compatible partner play a role, so don't worry, as long as you keep it up in your terrarium you will not need to hibernate.
