How to wake up and bring a turtle out of hibernation at home

In nature In nature, both land and freshwater species of turtles hibernate. Wintering is necessary so that animals can survive unfavorable natural conditions, climate change and a period of lack of food.

Under natural conditions, turtles prepare for hibernation in advance. In the fall, they instinctively begin to eat less. 2-3 weeks before hibernation, turtles completely stop eating. As soon as the temperature drops below 18 degrees and lasts for several days, they dig a hole in the ground, crawl into it and sleep.

Hibernation lasts from 4 to 6 months, approximately from November to March. As soon as the temperature rises to the optimal level and lasts for several days, the turtle comes out of hibernation. After 3-5 days, she begins to look for food for herself.

At home

At home, preparing a turtle for hibernation and creating the necessary conditions is quite difficult. Beginners are generally not recommended to experiment and create wintering conditions for turtles on their own.

Before putting a turtle into hibernation, you need to make sure that this type of turtle also hibernates in nature. If in nature this species is not adapted to wintering, then the created conditions will lead to illness and even death of the animal.

What is highly not recommended to do (what mistakes beginners often make):

• Hibernate a newly acquired turtle;
• Hibernate a sick or weakened turtle;
• The type of turtle that does not hibernate in nature spends the winter;
• Feed your freshwater or land turtle immediately before wintering;
• Wake up the turtle and put it back into hibernation;
• Raise or lower the temperature;
• Increase or decrease humidity levels.

All these errors are dangerous because:

• The turtle will wake up lethargic and sick;
• Life expectancy is significantly reduced;
• Leads to death.

Signs of hibernation:

• As the temperature drops, the turtle becomes lethargic;
• Refuses food;
• Sits in one place for a long time;
• Digs or buries itself in the ground.

How to wake up a turtle

Now we will present to your attention step-by-step instructions that will help you wake up your sleeping beauty or handsome man. So,

Temperature increase

The awakening of the turtle should be gradual

The process of awakening in the turtle’s body starts against the background of rising air temperature. This is what, in her understanding, symbolizes the arrival of the warm season. Therefore, you should gradually increase the temperature in the room in which the turtle is located. You can first place the terrarium with the turtle on the windowsill in a cool room, the next day move it to a warmer place, on the 3rd day bring it into the room and place it in its usual place. After this, it will be possible to increase the temperature in the room to 28-30 degrees Celsius within 3-4 days.

The main thing is to do this gradually, since a sudden temperature jump can lead to the death of your pet.

Water treatments

During sleep, the turtle's body became very dehydrated, so you must replenish this lack of water. Take the turtle in your arms and carefully immerse it in a warm bath, the water temperature in which should be 32-33 degrees, making sure that water does not get into the reptile’s mouth and nose, and it does not choke. You can also add a glucose ampoule to your bathing water, but you should not use any detergents or shampoos. After all, the purpose of such water procedures is to eliminate dehydration, and not just to bathe the turtle. Place your pet in the water for 20 minutes without leaving him unattended. Afterwards, immediately place it in a warm terrarium, protecting it from drafts, since after such water procedures the turtle can easily catch a cold.

Such bathing should be done daily, especially if there are signs of dehydration - noticeable thinness in the legs and neck, lethargy...

When should the turtle wake up?

As a rule, within 7-10 days with the approach to awakening a reptile described above, the turtle should wake up, start eating (approximately 5-7 days from the moment of awakening) and its activity should return. If this does not happen for some reason, do not put off visiting the veterinarian. Because delay can lead to the death of your pet.

How long does turtle winter last?

Ah, this is where the fun begins. It turns out that the duration of wintering depends not on the calendar, but on the age of your pet. So,

young turtles should not be left in hibernation for more than 4 weeks, but adults in this state can spend half-asleep up to 5 months a year.

All this time, you must monitor the state of the sleeping pet, and if suddenly it seems to you that the turtle is starting to show signs of activity (waking up) or it has been sleeping for too long, it will need to be woken up. Yes, yes, without your participation the turtle will not be able to wake up, because the awakening processes are launched against the background of accompanying factors, the creation of which you will have to take care of.

Feeding

Adult reptiles are fed 2-3 times a week, young pets are fed daily. The red-eared slider's diet should consist of the following foods:

• Live lean fish: blue whiting, gobies, etc.
• Raw meat.
• Various types of insects: crustaceans, bloodworms, daphnia, etc.
• Squid, shrimp, snails, frogs.
• Vegetation: lettuce, cabbage, dandelion and other plants.
• Vegetables: carrots, apples, cucumbers.

It is strictly forbidden to feed your pets cheeses, lamb, flour and bakery products, pork, fruits and other fatty and human products. To prevent diseases, turtles are given calcium supplements and vitamins.

Feeding the turtle

For the normal development of a turtle, a varied diet is needed, including fresh vegetables (lettuce, cucumbers, cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, pumpkin), greens (dandelion, plantain, coltsfoot). At the same time, we must not forget that the turtle loves most - fruits (watermelon, melon, apple) and berries (strawberries, raspberries, cherries).

She is not averse to dining on cooled semolina or buckwheat porridge, and will also not refuse oatmeal prepared in the traditional way.

To prevent her from getting sick from a lack of nutrients, cottage cheese, boiled eggs, and raw minced meat should be added to the main diet. At the same time, there is no need to give her something to drink, since she gets most of her liquid from vegetables and fruits, and besides, she can drink while taking a bath.

The diet of an aquatic turtle is mainly meat and fish, but it will not refuse snails, worms, mice, etc. But this does not mean that she should not be given food of plant origin. It should be at least 30% in the diet of an aquatic turtle.

Awakening after hibernation

After about 3 to 4 months of hibernation, the turtle should wake up on its own. If this does not happen, then you should remove the animal from the box and place it in a terrarium, having previously raised the temperature in it to 20 - 22C. You can also leave the turtle in the box, but move it to a room at room temperature. Once your turtle is awake and moving around on its own again, the following steps need to be taken. The first step is to bathe the animal in cool water with a temperature of 24 to 26C. At the same time, the turtle must drink a lot, restoring the water balance in the body. After this, place it in the terrarium, turn on the lights and offer fresh food. In the first days after hibernation, the turtle may consume a minimal amount of food, but this is normal.

Reptile breeding

When kept at home, turtles can reproduce if special conditions are created. After wintering is completed, mating is allowed. For this purpose, several females are created for one male. Representatives of different sexes are kept separately. To produce offspring, a male is placed with a female so that they get used to each other.

Breeding turtles should begin after wintering

Offspring emerge from laid eggs. Depending on the species, the hatching period for turtles can range from two months to six months. One clutch contains up to six eggs. Newborn turtles have an average length of about 3 cm.

The sex of the resulting offspring can be determined by characteristic features. Males have an elongated shell and a peculiar V-shaped notch on its upper part near the tail.

The lower part of the shell near the tail in males is concave. For female representatives it is straight. This structure of the plastron is necessary for mating and bearing offspring.

Watching a turtle can bring a lot of joy

When choosing a future pet, you should pay attention to the appearance of the animal and its activity. A healthy reptile should not have damage to its shell and be active in the morning and evening hours

Conditions for hibernating turtles

Under natural conditions, hibernation occurs when conditions appear that impair the life activity of turtles:

1. The temperature has dropped.
2. Lack of water.
3. Little food.

When the weather conditions outside the window change, such as decreasing daylight hours, the pet wants to sleep. Failures in diet and lower temperatures lead to a slowdown in processes in turtles. Then the reptiles fall asleep. In nature, this process can last up to six months, depending on the size of the individuals. Small species sleep for 3-4 months, and large ones for up to 6 months. Turtles dig holes, starve, drink heavily, and wake up less and less often. Gradually they fall into a state of suspended animation.

How to find out age

Unfortunately, sometimes even store salespeople are unable to accurately tell the age of a red-eared turtle, so owners have to deal with this issue on their own. The following data will help you find out the age of a reptile:

• 2 years – females 8-9 cm, males – 7-8 cm.
• 3 years – females 10-14 cm, males – 8-10 cm.
• 4 years – females 13-16 cm, males – 12-14 cm.

In addition to calculating age based on pet size, you can find out the approximate number of years in the following way:

• Shell color - in young turtles the coating is green. After 4 years of life, the shell begins to darken; in older reptiles the cover is almost black.
• Rings – rings are formed on the shell when reptiles reach one year, 2-3 rings are added every six months. After 4 years of life, the ring appears once a year. By counting the number of rings, you can roughly estimate the age of the turtle.

Appearance

A turtle at home is exotic, and its appearance is also unusual.

Animal body:

• head and eyes;
• neck;
• beak and tongue;
• shell;
• color;
• limbs;
• tail;
• dimensions.

The head of these reptiles is streamlined and designed in such a way that the animal can quickly pull it under its shell. In some species, the length of the neck is equal to the length of the shell.

These animals have a strong and hard beak with bulges inside, with sharp or jagged edges that act as teeth.

The function of the shell is protection. The dorsal (upper) part is called the carapace, the ventral (lower) part is called the plastron.

The size of a turtle is measured by the length of its shell. Determine the length using a ruler despite the fact that the surface of the dorsal part is uneven.

They grow slowly throughout life. In adult individuals, the length of the carapace is 20–30 cm.

The tail is hidden inside the shell. The tip of the tail in some species is pointed, similar to a spike.

Differences between Central Asian and red-eared cats in appearance

Sense organs

Turtles have good low-frequency hearing and excellent color vision.

Red-eared turtles have an excellent sense of smell and smell. They see both in water and above water. Hearing is like that of cats: they can distinguish dull sounds and vibrations. Nerve endings pass through the shell. Animals with a sense of touch distinguish the taste of food.

Aquatic turtles are not adapted to breathe underwater; they swim up for oxygen.

Lifespan

The average lifespan of these animals in their natural environment is 20–30 years. If kept at home, if the rules of care are followed, pets will live up to 40-50 years.

When determining age, they are guided by size and also count the number of rings on the shell. In one year, 2–3 rings are formed. But this growth is not uniform; it is influenced by conditions of detention, illness, and hibernation.

In older individuals, the carapace is smooth, the growth rings are pale. The younger the turtle, the brighter its color.

Inappropriate maintenance and disease are the main causes of death.

In another article, we took a closer look at how long turtles live.

Arrangement of the terrarium

A red-eared turtle at home will grow and develop normally in a terrarium with a volume of 150 liters or more. The height must be greater than the width so that the turtle can turn over freely. The liquid level should be such that a reptile standing on its hind legs could stick its muzzle out of the water.

The terrarium must be equipped with an island for the red-eared turtle with a gentle bank so that the pet can easily climb onto land. When placing decorations, preference should be given to driftwood, previously soaked and treated to remove dirt and bacteria, or non-toxic plastic elements. There is no need to plant living flora - this is exactly what red-eared turtles eat, since not a trace of the plants will remain. When using a substrate, choose a large, smooth soil.

In addition to sushi, 40 and 60 W light bulbs are installed in the terrarium at a distance of 25 cm. Otherwise, the light will disturb the pets. Reptiles need an ultraviolet lamp to produce vitamin D3, so experienced aquarists use Repti Glo 5 and 8 devices. The source of ultraviolet rays is located at a distance of 40 cm, otherwise the pet will get burned.

A categorical “no”

• Letting your pet walk around on the floor: firstly, he can catch a cold, secondly, he can eat dust and dirt, thirdly, someone will simply step on him;
• Feeding the turtle is monotonous - it quickly gets fat and begins to get sick;
• Place the terrarium on the floor or in a draft;
• Keeping a turtle in a bucket or cardboard box - it also has its own needs;
• Forcefully send them to winter without conducting tests to determine their health status. Weak animals may not come out of hibernation.

Basic rules for bringing pet turtles out of hibernation

For 3-4 months it hibernated indoors at a temperature of +6-10C; during the period of hibernation or hibernation, the pet lost about 10% of its weight. By the time the reptile leaves the hibernation, the reptile’s body is exhausted, therefore, in order to safely wake up the red-eared or Central Asian turtle, it is necessary to carry out the following steps step by step.

Smooth increase in temperature

In the wild, reptiles wake up when the air temperature gradually rises; the same principle applies in March, when it is necessary to bring the turtle out of hibernation. Within a week, it is necessary to bring the temperature in the terrarium to +20C, and then 3-4 days later to 30-32C. This process is done gradually; the container with the sleeping reptile is first transferred to a place with a temperature of 12C, then 15C, 18C, etc. You cannot place a sleepy turtle in a terrarium with a temperature of +32C, such a sharp drop will instantly kill the pet.

Taking baths

The body of an exotic animal is severely exhausted after a long hibernation; in order to completely awaken a land turtle, it is recommended that the awakened reptile take baths lasting 20-30 minutes in warm water with glucose. Water will saturate the animal’s body with life-giving moisture, the animal will remove urine, and hygiene procedures will raise the overall tone of the body. After bathing, the pet must be immediately placed in a warm terrarium, excluding the possibility of drafts.

In order to bring the red-eared turtle out of hibernation, after the stage of raising the temperature in the aquaterrarium, it is recommended to bathe the animal daily for 40-60 minutes in warm water for a week. It is strictly forbidden to fill an aquarium full of water with a sleepy reptile, which may choke and die.

A course of restorative drugs

After waking up, the body of an exhausted turtle is susceptible to various infections, viruses and pathogenic fungi. During hibernation, the animal lost a huge amount of energy and moisture, therefore, in order to bring a land turtle or red-eared turtle out of hibernation without complications, herpetologists prescribe the animal a course of vitamin preparations and electrolytic solutions. These measures are aimed at restoring the required amount of fluid and stimulating the reptile’s body’s defenses.

Ultraviolet irradiation

After waking up, aquatic and land turtles turn on a source of ultraviolet radiation for reptiles for 10-12 hours.

Feeding

If all actions to awaken the reptile are carried out smoothly and correctly, after 5-7 days from the moment it emerges from hibernation, the pet will begin to feed on its own.

The process of bringing a reptile out of hibernation does not always go smoothly; it is recommended to urgently consult a doctor in the following situations:

• after the temperature rises, the animal does not wake up;
• the pet does not pass urine;
• the turtle does not eat;
• the reptile's eyes do not open;
• The animal's tongue is bright red.

The most important thing for bringing a turtle out of hibernation is warmth, lighting and the patience of the owner. After proper awakening, reptiles continue to enjoy life and delight all family members.

How to bring a turtle out of hibernation?

In nature this is almost impossible

After all, you will have to organize natural disasters or climate anomalies. It is impossible to simply “unearth” a sleeping tortilla and wake it up with mechanical or phonetic stimuli. Even if you try a classic bucket of water, then most likely the animal will choke and the experiment will end there.

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In comfortable home conditions, turtles do not hibernate. But if this happened, it means the animal “recently” came out of nature and acts instinctively out of habit. Or there has been a change in temperature in the apartment that is not comfortable for active turtle activity. The third option is animal disease. But in this case, she herself will better cope with the problem.

The universal recipe for a “reptilian awakening” is to move the turtle directly to a source of even heat.

She will wake up. During some time.

Turtles at home very often hibernate and there is no need to be afraid of this.

And there is no need to artificially remove her from this state. When necessary, she will come out on her own.

The turtle has this programmed at the genetic level, so it should not be disturbed,

if she hasn't come out of hibernation yet. The main thing is to make sure that the turtle is in comfortable conditions during hibernation.

One of our turtles has disappeared somewhere. We knew that this was the time when they hibernated (they begin to prepare a place for hibernation in advance and can carry newspapers and other improvised material), but no matter how much we looked for it, we could not find it in time. Simply mystical.

As it turned out later, the turtle somehow climbed behind the battery and went into hibernation, and when the heating was suddenly turned on, it overheated and died.

In order to bring a turtle out of hibernation, you need to gradually increase the temperature in the terrarium. Move the turtle into the room; this must be done in stages over three days. For example, place the terrarium first on a windowsill in a cool room, then find a warmer place, and then put the terrarium where it will always stand. After, start turning on the heating, gradually increasing the temperature to twenty-eight, thirty degrees over three to four days. After waking up, the turtle is dehydrated, so it needs to be bathed in a warm bath. The water temperature should be thirty-three degrees. When bathing a turtle, you should not use shampoos or any detergents. After hibernation, the turtle is not only dehydrated, but also hungry. If everything is fine with the turtle, then it begins to eat five to seven days after waking up.

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Reproduction

In red-eared turtles, reproduction occurs in the spring. Males are capable of reproducing from the age of 4, females from the age of five. To see how reptiles lay eggs, the owner should prepare a breeding container:

• The water level should not exceed 10 cm.
• A container is installed on an island of land where turtles lay their eggs.

It is important to note that only a pair of turtles of the opposite sex should be present in the terrarium during the breeding season, otherwise the males will fight. The turtles mate in an interesting way: the male swims up to the female, tickles her with his claws and pokes her with her muzzle

After mating of the red-eared turtles has occurred and the expectant mother has laid eggs in a dug hole, the container with the offspring is transferred to the incubator. The optimal temperature is 27-30C, and it is noted that at 30C females are born, at 27C - males. After about 2 months, the turtles are born, but the babies cannot be released to adult reptiles, since yellow-bellied pets do not shine with parental love and can attack.

Winter and summer hibernation in turtles

• home
• Keeping red-eared turtles
• Winter and summer hibernation in turtles

In nature, when it gets too hot or too cold, turtles go into summer or winter hibernation. The turtle digs a hole in the ground, where it crawls and sleeps until the temperature changes. At home, when the temperature in the turtle's terrarium should be stable, there is no need for hibernation. Often it can even cause harm. Typically in nature, hibernation lasts 4-6 months. When in the country where the tortoise comes from the temperature stays below 17-18 C for a long time, the tortoise goes into hibernation, and when it exceeds these values ​​for a long time, it’s time for the tortoise to wake up. Improper wintering, without observing temperature and humidity conditions, can harm the turtle, especially if the turtle itself is not healthy, or even kill it.

But there are also advantages to wintering: it helps maintain normal activity of the thyroid gland and thereby increase the life expectancy of the turtle; it synchronizes the sexual activity of males and follicular growth of females; it prevents excess growth and helps maintain normal hormonal status. Both land and freshwater turtles can be hibernated. If you do not want the turtle to hibernate and cannot provide it with normal sleeping conditions, then increase the temperature in the terrarium to 28 degrees and bathe the turtle more often. If the turtle won’t eat, then you should go to the veterinarian and get a vitamin injection (Eleovita, for example).

If, nevertheless, your goal is to put the turtle to sleep, or the turtle itself wants to hibernate (often sits in the corner, digging soil), then: * Before hibernation (late autumn, early winter) you need to fatten the turtle well so that it gains a sufficient amount the fat it needs for nutrition while sleeping. In addition, the turtle should drink more. You need to be sure that the turtle is healthy. It is better to consult a veterinarian. However, it is not recommended to give vitamins and fertilizers immediately before wintering.

A land turtle is bathed in warm water, then not fed for several weeks, but given water so that all the food eaten is digested (small ones for 1-2 weeks, large ones for 2-3 weeks). Freshwater turtles have their water levels lowered and are also not fed for a couple of weeks.

Gradually reduce the duration of daylight hours (by moving the timer to shorter periods of turning on the lamps) and temperatures (gradually turn off the lamps or water heating) with increasing humidity to the level required during the cooling period. The temperature must be lowered gradually, since reducing it too sharply will lead to colds.

We prepare a wintering box, which should not be too large, because... During hibernation, turtles are inactive. A plastic container with air holes will do. Wet sand, peat, and sphagnum moss 10-30 cm thick are placed at the bottom. The turtles are placed in this box and covered with dry leaves or hay on top. The humidity of the substrate in which the turtle overwinters should be quite high (but the substrate should not get wet). You can also place turtles in linen bags and pack them in foam boxes, in which sphagnum or sawdust will be loosely scattered.

Wintering freshwater turtles Leave the container at room temperature for 2 days. We place the container in a cool place, for example, in a corridor, preferably on a tile, but so that there are no drafts. Depending on the type and the temperatures it requires, we lower the temperature, For example: floor (18 C) for 2 days -> on the windowsill (15 C) for 2 days -> on the balcony (12 C) for 2 days -> in the refrigerator (9 C ) for 2 months. The wintering place for the turtle should be dark, well ventilated, and have a temperature of 6-12°C (preferably 8°C). For exotic southern tortoises, lowering the temperature a couple of degrees may be sufficient. Every time you examine the turtle, you need to spray the soil with water. It is better to do this once every 3-5 days. For aquatic turtles, humidity during hibernation should be greater than for land turtles.

It is necessary to bring them out of hibernation in the reverse order. Before overwintering turtles are allowed into a terrarium or outdoor area, they are bathed in warm water. If the turtle appears dehydrated, emaciated, inactive, or in a daze, restorative measures should begin with warm baths. Normally, the turtle should start feeding within 5-7 days after the temperature reaches normal. If the turtle is unable to recover, you should contact a veterinarian.

Important to know The hibernation time for turtles is usually 8-10 weeks for small turtles and 12-14 for large turtles. Turtles should be placed in winter quarters in such a way that they “wake up” no earlier than February, when daylight hours noticeably lengthen. Can be from 3-4 weeks to 3-4 months.

The condition of the turtles is checked every month, trying not to disturb them. The weight of a turtle normally decreases by 1% for each month of wintering. If the weight decreases faster (more than 10% of the weight) or the general condition worsens, wintering must be stopped. During the winter, it is better not to bathe turtles, as they usually urinate if they feel water getting on their shell. If the turtle begins to be active at a temperature of 11-12°C, wintering should also be stopped. For all hibernating reptiles, the limits of temperature fluctuations are from +1°C to +12°C; In case of long-term cooling below 0°C, death occurs.

Gentle hibernation regime for turtles If the general condition of the turtle does not allow for a full winter or if there are no suitable conditions in the apartment, you can arrange “overwintering” in a gentle regime. To do this, soil that better retains moisture (sawdust, moss, peat, dry leaves, etc.) is added to the terrarium in which the turtle was kept. Level - 5 - 10 cm. The soil should not get wet. The light in the terrarium can be turned on for 2 - 3 hours a day. In the middle of “ overwintering ,” the lights can be turned off completely for 2 to 3 weeks.

The temperature should be maintained at 18 -24°C during the day , and drop to 14 - 16°C at night . After the “peak” of such wintering (when the heating is turned on again for 2 - 3 hours), you can offer the turtle her favorite food once a week. The beginning of independent feeding is a signal of the end of wintering.

Wintering temperature of different species of turtles * K.leucostomum, k.baurii, s.carinatus, s.minor - room temperature (can be placed somewhere on the floor, where it is cooler) * K.subrubrum, c.guttata, e.orbicularis (swamp ) - about 9 C * T.scripta (red-eared), R.pulcherrima - do not need hibernation

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Caring for aquarium turtles

Freshwater turtles are also very popular. Turtles of this species can often be found in warm waters. They are small in size and bright in color.

Feeding

Many species of freshwater turtles are omnivores, but that doesn't mean you have to share your lunch with them. They mainly eat food for turtles, fish, pieces of raw meat and fish, and vegetables. In the process, you yourself will understand what to feed your turtle. Mineral supplements in the form of calcium are also necessary.

Freshwater turtles are kept in a terrarium. It must be equipped with a lighting, ventilation and heating system. In addition to water, the terrarium should have a plot of dry soil. The turtle must be able to swim freely and go onto land if necessary.

The size of the terrarium depends on the size of the turtle

For sushi, soil or smooth stones are suitable; it is important that it can climb onto a dry place without difficulty. Lighting is usually installed there so that the turtle can bask.

Gravel and smooth pebbles are excellent for the ground, but you can also use mats. They imitate grass. You can also place some large smooth stones, pottery and driftwood into the terrarium for decoration. The water temperature should be from 17 to 30 degrees.

Water Turtle Health

If the turtle begins to eat little or refuses to eat at all, and often begins to swim near the bottom or on its side - these are signs of poor health. And this, in any case, is a clear signal to go to the vet.

Tips for keeping turtles

• Don't keep your turtle on the floor
• Do not allow other animals to come into contact with the turtle
• Contact your doctor promptly if you notice any deterioration in your pet's health.
• Give mineral food that contains calcium
• Don't leave it outside unattended
• Make sure there are no drafts

Pay close attention to the health of your little pet, and he will respond to you with love and funny behavior.

How to prepare a turtle for hibernation in captivity?

Important: Never try to hibernate a turtle if it has recently eaten.

As autumn approaches, turtles eat less and less - this is a natural process. The functioning of the animal's digestive system mainly depends on air temperature. When biological processes slow down, the body needs 2-4 weeks for the last food eaten to completely pass through the digestive tract. Therefore, it is best not to attempt to hibernate a tortoise if there is a possibility that there may be undigested food left in the intestines. This is very dangerous: the gases released can cause potentially fatal colic. To properly prepare your turtle for hibernation, give it a period of fasting that should last at least three weeks. It should be noted here that the exact time depends on the size of the reptile (small turtles need less time for the hunger period, large ones need more). During this period, the animal should be kept at a temperature slightly lower than normal. It is also necessary to gradually reduce the lighting level.

How should you feed your turtle?

Owners of land turtles may have a question: how to water their pet so that it does not lack moisture? The answer is quite simple. Reptiles receive the main share of water together with succulent food.

Therefore, it is important that the turtle’s diet includes plant foods. For example, fresh cabbage or lettuce leaves can not only saturate a turtle, but also allow it to receive the moisture necessary for normal life.

You can give your turtle young dandelion leaves or clover. If you make sure that the turtle always has enough juicy fresh food, the animal will be reliably protected from dehydration.

There is another way to provide moisture to the turtle: you should place it in a tank of water. During water procedures, the animal will absorb a sufficient amount of moisture through the skin.

Does a turtle need to hibernate?

Most experts in keeping turtles at home and veterinarians agree that although these creatures plunge into winter sleep in their natural habitat, it is better not to allow this to happen at home. Because you may have problems waking them up. So, it is better to make sure in advance that your pet receives enough light and warmth at any time of the year - this will prevent his desire to sleep. Otherwise, without preliminary preparation and the necessary conditions for winter sleep, the turtle may not wake up.

As for whether the absence of hibernation harms the animal, experts are sure that it does not. The main thing is that the pet is properly cared for and comfortable living conditions are created for it.

Do you need neighbors?

The behavior of red-eared turtles in relation to other underwater inhabitants and relatives cannot be called friendly. Reptiles tend to enter into conflicts with each other, and pugnacity especially manifests itself in adulthood. Given this temperament, it is recommended to keep turtles separately from relatives, or provide pets with a spacious terrarium with partitions.

Tips for keeping two or more reptiles in one container:

• Pets must be the same size and age.
• You cannot keep two males in a terrarium.
• Each individual should have personal space and a rest area.

It is important to note that it is not recommended to keep frogs, lizards and snakes together with turtles, as these creatures are perceived by reptiles as food

Arrangement of the aquarium

Maintenance and care do not require a special approach, but you should always remember that turtles of this subspecies can grow up to 20 cm or more in length. Therefore, when arranging a home, this factor should be taken into account so that the turtle does not feel crowded. In this case, take an aquarium that is not tall and not wide, but long enough so that the space can be divided into two parts.

Despite the fact that this species of turtles (yellow-eared and red-eared) are related to aquatic ones, the turtle definitely needs land. You can organize the land in any available way: put a large stone on the bottom of the aquarium so that it looks out from the water or add some soil. In short, the main thing is that the land is above the water level, and the turtle can easily climb onto it. If there is enough space in the aquarium, then you can add soil and plant suitable plants, then the turtle will feel just like in natural conditions. In this case, there is a huge space for the flight of your imagination.

Setting up an aquaterrarium

For one ward you will need a 100-liter aquarium; a couple of different sexes will need a capacity of 150 liters or more. Next, we create the interior of the turtle’s home, taking into account the fact that land should occupy approximately 25% of the area of ​​​​water. At the same time, let’s not forget our interests – the beauty of the aquaterrarium. If you wish, you can purchase an artificial shore at a pet store, but then you won’t get a real corner of wildlife. But you want not only to keep the red-eared turtle, but also to enjoy the whole composition.

We will be guided by the last condition:

1. Place a large stone with a flat surface at the end of the aquarium. When calculating its size, take into account the distance from the top edge of the future aquaterrarium - it should not exceed 40 centimeters.
2. If the land slope is not gentle enough, you need to make a bridge to it from the water. Frequent, stable steps made of smaller stones or suitable driftwood without jagged edges will do.
3. Next, we fill the soil not only at the bottom. Be sure to fill the space between the walls with stone and under the bridge. If this is not done, even though it is aquatic, the reptile may get stuck there and drown. The size of the soil also matters - red-eared turtles can swallow small pebbles and die.
4. Living bottom plants will be quickly eaten. Therefore, it is better to choose emergent species with a root system located in ceramic pots or other reliable decorations at the bottom. For example, dwarf papyrus, water hyacinth and similar vegetation.

We will return to the small but important details of the interior later. Now it’s time to pour water into the almost finished aquaterrarium. Let's start with its parameters - temperature 22-28ºС, soft like peat, with neutral acidity

It is important to take into account the water level - it should be such that a turtle turned over on its back can find support on the bottom or decorations and independently return to its original position. Now regarding the required equipment:

1. A good external filter for the red-eared turtle is very important because it feeds and defecates directly in the water.
2. To heat the shore, you need a regular 40W lamp located directly above it. Stronger light bulbs can only be installed at a distance from land above fifty centimeters - otherwise burns cannot be avoided. The optimal temperature of a dry surface should not exceed 35ºС.
3. Ultraviolet lamp for reptiles. It makes more sense to purchase it in a specialized store. It is better not to experiment with UV lamps intended for humans - the wavelength is completely different and the reptile’s body will not produce the vitamins necessary for the absorption of calcium.
4. Thermostat to maintain a constant water temperature. When purchasing it, make sure that you need a model that is suitable for the aquaterrarium.

After the housing for the aquarium red-eared turtle is ready, it is recommended to let it stand without a pet for at least a couple of days. By the way, it needs to be positioned so that it is not exposed to direct sunlight. While the water is settling, there is time to go to pet stores in search of a “new home.”

Turtle selection

Basically, they buy Central Asian (steppe) turtles, which are not very demanding in terms of care. They can grow up to 20cm in length and are characterized by the presence of a small, rounded shell of a yellow-brown hue in combination with brown spots.

To begin with, it shows its activity in the morning and evening hours, and during the day and at night it rests in some kind of shelter. Based on this, we can conclude that for such a turtle it is necessary to create similar conditions.

The Central Asian tortoise goes into a state of anabiosis (hibernation) twice a year, thereby escaping heat, cold and lack of food. This does not mean that she will do this at home, because she has enough food and the temperature is within optimal limits.

How to care for an awakened turtle

After hibernation, the turtle’s body is dehydrated, and it itself is hungry, therefore, you will have to provide it with everything it needs and create comfortable living conditions for it. As a rule, 5-7 days are enough for the animal to completely “wake up” and return to its usual way of life.

Video about turtles

Today we talked about how to wake up a turtle, whether it really needs hibernation, what conditions are necessary for your turtle to sleep sweetly, and how to wake up your sleeping beauty or handsome man... We hope that our tips and recommendations will be useful to you and will save the life of your pet.

Oh, does your turtle hibernate? How long does her sleep last? How do you usually wake her up? Share your experiences and stories with us.

Water environment

Turtles spend most of their time in water, so it is important to pay attention to the aquatic environment in the terrarium. Reptiles prefer clean, clear liquid, so it is imperative to install a filter in the container.

The liquid used to fill the terrarium is settled, without chlorine and harmful impurities. The water temperature for red-eared turtles is 22-28C. To maintain the number of degrees you need a heater and a thermometer. The fluid is renewed weekly, replacing 1/3 of the volume

It is important to note that the well-being and life of reptiles depends on the attention of the owner in this matter.

Species of red-eared turtles

The popularity of yellow-bellied reptiles was given not only by their attractive appearance and easy care, but also by the variety of subspecies. Among the species of red-eared turtles, the following representatives are especially in demand:

Trachemys scripta scripta – the turtles reach 27 cm in length and have a characteristic lemon spot that merges with the stripe on the neck. The plastron is yellow with spots.

Trachemys scripta elegans - grows up to 28 cm. There is a wide red stripe on the head of reptiles.

Trachemys scripta troostii - representatives stretch up to 21 cm. There is a yellow stripe and extensive chin lines on the head. There is a yellow line on each costal shield. The plastron is decorated with small black spots.

Description and general information

Turtles in a terrarium are a funny sight that is fascinating to watch for both adults and children. Caring for reptiles in captivity is not difficult, but before purchasing, you should get to know the pets better, learning the characteristics and subspecies of reptiles.

Description of the red-eared slider:

• The size of reptiles in captivity can reach up to 60 cm.
• The protective shell of an adult red-eared slider becomes slightly wrinkled.
• The famous spots from which the turtles got their name can be either scarlet or lemon
• The color transforms with age: small red-eared turtles are painted in emerald tones, older ones can acquire a black tint.
• The plastron of animals is intensely yellow with rounded markings.

Home for a new pet

Getting a red-eared turtle at home is only a matter of carefully organizing its permanent place of residence - the aquarium. Do not think that a small red-eared turtle requires a small aquarium, and as it grows, it can be replaced with an aquarium with a larger volume. It is better to immediately buy a large one - at least 150 liters - in order to avoid stress for the animal in connection with such “movings”.

The next thing you should pay attention to is the place where you plan to install the aquarium with your pet. It is better to avoid places where the aquarium will be exposed to direct sunlight and drafts.

The surface on which the aquarium will be located must be very durable - the weight of the aquarium with water and a stone bottom, and all equipment can exceed 250-300 kilograms. From here it is clear that it is better to choose a table or cabinet that is strong and stable.

After consulting with the seller, you can select the necessary equipment. Here is an approximate list of necessary items for keeping red-eared turtles at home:

• Water heater;
• Filter – internal or external;
• Heating lamp;
• UV lamp for aquatic turtles;
• Lamp;
• Thermometer;
• Island, shore;

Of course, you can purchase these items second-hand, especially if you have experience using this equipment and know how to test its functionality.

It should be remembered that access to UV rays is required, since calcium entering the turtle’s body cannot be absorbed without it. This can lead to consequences such as a crooked shell, various diseases, or even the death of the animal. You should also not exclude a water filter from your shopping list. Without it, you will have to change the water in the aquarium every week, possibly more than once - as it gets dirty. If a water filter is installed, it can be replaced much less frequently.

The water must be at least 23-28° C; temperatures below 20° C are considered unacceptable. The volume of water should not be too large - it is recommended to measure a level approximately equal to the width of the turtle’s shell. The water must always be clean - otherwise infectious diseases are inevitable, especially in small red-eared turtles.

You can make an island or land yourself, or you can buy a ready-made one. When making it yourself, you should take into account that the material for manufacturing must be non-toxic, stable, without nicks or sharp corners, and in general occupy about 25% of the internal surface area of ​​the aquarium. Also, it should not consist of soil or gravel - the turtle may mistake it for food.

Conditions for keeping land turtles

Land turtles are usually kept in terrariums. But, if for some reason you do not yet have the opportunity to purchase it, an ordinary cardboard box will do. Or a plastic container.

A turtle's body temperature depends on the ambient temperature. Therefore, be sure to install an infrared heater in the terrarium. For the first time, it can be replaced with a regular incandescent lamp (up to 60 W). Also, be sure to purchase an ultraviolet lamp so that your turtle does not suffer from lack of sunlight.

Some turtles do not like excessive attention and often hide from prying eyes. If you use hay as a substrate, the turtle may simply burrow into it. If the soil is sawdust, build a “house” for your pet: take a regular plastic flower pot and cut it lengthwise. Half of such a pot will be an excellent shelter for a turtle.

Feeding and bathing land turtles

What to feed and how to care for a turtle at home? The land turtle likes vegetables and fruits. For example, grated zucchini, carrots, apples, etc. These turtles are very fond of lettuce and dandelion leaves. The latter can even be dried for the winter.

If you bought a turtle at a pet store, then there is a high probability that the sellers bathed the animal very rarely. Consequently, his body is dehydrated. Therefore, for the first time (about 5 - 7 days after purchase), the turtle needs to be bathed every day.

Caring for the shell and claws

Under natural conditions, turtles molt periodically. During molting, you need to care for them especially carefully; when bathing, add baking soda to the water (1 teaspoon per liter of water, no more than 2 baths in soda per molting). You should not lubricate the shell with oil or special lotions that are sold in pet stores. There is practically no benefit from them, but the pores on the skin become clogged.

To grind off the claws and beak, as mentioned above, you need to keep pebbles and large smooth stones in the terrarium. If the claws do not grind down, grow long and prevent the turtle from walking, they need to be trimmed. This can be done with tongs or nail scissors. If you are afraid to trim yourself, seek help from a veterinarian.

Walking land turtles

How to care for a turtle at home? Videos with comments from owners and discussions on thematic forums will help you learn what to feed your pet and how to bathe it. But not everyone knows that the turtle also needs to be walked.

This, of course, needs to be done in the summer, at temperatures above +20 ºC in the shade. A clean green lawn with dandelions or clover is suitable for a walk. Place the turtle in the grass and leave it to its own devices for a couple of hours. Make sure your pet is not grabbed by birds or dogs.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=zHvou0Wc52w

Turtle hibernation (wintering)

In nature, when it gets too hot or too cold, turtles go into summer or winter hibernation. The turtle digs a hole in the ground, where it crawls and sleeps until the temperature changes. In nature, hibernation lasts approximately 4-6 months, at least from December to March. The turtle begins to prepare for hibernation when the temperature in its habitat remains below 17-18 C for a long time, and when it exceeds these values ​​for a long time, it’s time for the turtle to wake up.

At home, it is very difficult to hibernate correctly so that the turtle emerges healthy and at all, so if you are new to terrariums, we recommend that you do not hibernate turtles. Sick animals and those recently brought from elsewhere are definitely not allowed to hibernate.

Pros of wintering : it helps maintain normal activity of the thyroid gland and thereby increase the life expectancy of the turtle; it synchronizes the sexual activity of males and follicular growth of females; it prevents excess growth and helps maintain normal hormonal status. Both land and freshwater turtles can be hibernated.

Disadvantages of wintering: the turtle may die or wake up sick.

What mistakes happen when organizing wintering

• Sick or weakened turtles are put to winter
• Humidity too low during hibernation
• Temperature too low or too high
• Insects that climbed into the wintering container and damaged the turtle
• You woke up turtles during hibernation and then put them back to sleep

How to avoid wintering

In mid-autumn, turtles, which in nature become less active during the winter, refuse food. If you do not want the turtle to hibernate and cannot provide it with normal sleeping conditions, then increase the temperature in the terrarium to 32 degrees and bathe the turtle more often. If the turtle won’t eat, then you should go to the veterinarian and get a vitamin injection (Eleovita, for example).

How to put a turtle to sleep

European keepers strongly recommend hibernating turtles for their health. However, in apartment conditions this is not at all easy to do. It is much easier to hibernate reptiles for those who have a private home. If, nevertheless, your goal is to put the turtle to sleep, or the turtle itself wants to go into hibernation (it often sits in the corner, digging soil), then:

1. Make sure the turtle is a species that overwinters in the wild, so clearly identify its species and subspecies.
2. You need to be sure that the turtle is healthy. It is better to consult a veterinarian. However, it is not recommended to give vitamins and fertilizers immediately before wintering.
3. Before hibernation (late autumn, early winter), the turtle must be well fed so that it gains a sufficient amount of fat necessary for nutrition during sleep. In addition, the turtle should drink more.
4. A land turtle is bathed in warm water, then not fed for several weeks, but given water so that all the food eaten is digested (small ones for 1-2 weeks, large ones for 2-3 weeks). Freshwater turtles have their water levels lowered and are also not fed for a couple of weeks.
5. Gradually reduce the duration of daylight hours (by moving the timer to shorter periods of turning on the lamps) and temperatures (gradually turn off the lamps or water heating) with increasing humidity to the level required during the cooling period. The temperature must be lowered gradually, since reducing it too sharply will lead to colds.
6. We prepare a wintering box, which should not be too large, because... During hibernation, turtles are inactive. A plastic container with air holes will do. Wet sand, peat, and sphagnum moss 10-30 cm thick are placed at the bottom. The turtles are placed in this box and covered with dry leaves or hay on top. The humidity of the substrate in which the turtle overwinters should be quite high (but the substrate should not get wet). You can also place turtles in linen bags and pack them in foam boxes, in which sphagnum or sawdust will be loosely scattered.

7. Leave the container at room temperature for 2 days.
8. We place the container in a cool place, for example, in a corridor, preferably on a tile, but so that there are no drafts.
9. IN

   depending on the type and the temperatures it requires, we lower the temperature, For example: floor (18 C) for 2 days -> on the windowsill (15 C) for 2 days -> on the balcony (12 C) for 2 days -> in the refrigerator (9 C) for 2 months. The wintering place for the turtle should be dark, well ventilated, and have a temperature of 6-12°C (preferably 8°C). For exotic southern tortoises, lowering the temperature a couple of degrees may be sufficient. Every time you examine the turtle, you need to spray the soil with water. It is better to do this once every 3-5 days. For aquatic turtles, humidity during hibernation should be greater than for land turtles.

10. It is necessary to bring them out of hibernation in the reverse order. Before overwintering turtles are allowed into a terrarium or outdoor area, they are bathed in warm water. If the turtle appears dehydrated, emaciated, inactive, or in a daze, restorative measures should begin with warm baths.
11. Normally, the turtle should start feeding within 5-7 days after the temperature reaches normal. If the turtle is unable to recover, you should contact a veterinarian.

It is important to know

Hibernation time for turtles is usually 8-10 weeks for small turtles and 12-14 for large turtles. Turtles should be placed in winter quarters in such a way that they “wake up” no earlier than February, when daylight hours noticeably lengthen. Can be from 3-4 weeks to 3-4 months. The condition of the turtles is checked every month, trying not to disturb them. The weight of a turtle normally decreases by 1% for each month of wintering. If the weight decreases faster (more than 10% of the weight) or the general condition worsens, wintering must be stopped. During the winter, it is better not to bathe turtles, as they usually urinate if they feel water getting on their shell. If the turtle begins to be active at a temperature of 11-12°C, wintering should also be stopped. For all hibernating reptiles, the limits of temperature fluctuations are from +1°C to +12°C; In case of long-term cooling below 0°C, death occurs.

(author of some of the information is Snegir, forum myreptile.ru)

Gentle hibernation regime for turtles

If the general condition of the turtle does not allow for a full winter, or if there are no suitable conditions in the apartment, you can arrange “overwintering” in a gentle manner. To do this, soil that better retains moisture (sawdust, moss, peat, dry leaves, etc.) is added to the terrarium in which the turtle was kept. Level - 5 - 10 cm. The soil should not get wet. The light in the terrarium can be turned on for 2 - 3 hours a day. In the middle of overwintering, the lights can be turned off completely for 2 - 3 weeks. The temperature should be maintained at 18 -24°C during the day, and drop to 14 - 16°C at night. After the “peak” of such wintering (when the heating is turned on again for 2 - 3 hours), you can offer the turtle her favorite food once a week. The beginning of independent feeding is a signal of the end of wintering.

(from the book by Vasilyev D.B. “Turtles...”)

Wintering temperature of different types of turtles

K.leucostomum, k.baurii, s.carinatus, s.minor - room temperature (can be placed somewhere on the floor, where it is cooler) K.subrubrum, c.guttata, e.orbicularis (marsh) - about 9 C T.scripta (rudders), R.pulcherrima - do not need to hibernate

Articles on the site

• Advice from foreign experts on the proper WINTERING of turtles

Features of keeping a red-eared turtle

And now directly about how to create comfort for your pet.

Aquarium for turtle

Aquarium for keeping a turtle

When you look at a small red-eared slider, you might think that the requirement for a 200 liter aquarium is a bit high, but this is not the case. The turtle will grow and you will not need to buy it another aquarium in a year. By the way, don’t believe those who say that if you want to keep your pet’s miniature size, you should keep it in a small container. This is wrong. The turtle will still grow, but it will be sick and crooked.

artificial island

You will need to place an artificial island or shore in the aquarium for the turtle to crawl onto. The only requirements for it are a sloping rise, a textured surface, the absence of sharp corners and non-toxic material. Such an island should occupy at least a quarter of the aquarium, and it should be heated and the temperature on it should be 10 degrees higher than the water temperature. It is recommended that it be slightly submerged and not placed next to the wall of the aquarium, as the turtle may get stuck in the crack and injure itself.

Aquarium soil

In principle, you can do without it, as well as without other decorative elements. But, if you want to liven up the environment of the red-eared habitat a little, use large stones for this. Gravel is not suitable, as turtles can swallow it and die, and it will become more difficult for you to care for the aquarium with such soil.

Heat lamp and thermometer

In their natural habitat, turtles come onto land to bask. They maintain this habit by living in your aquarium. Try to place the lamp in the center of the artificial island and monitor the temperature parameters. The distance from the lamp to the surface should also be chosen correctly, otherwise a closely located lamp may cause a burn to the turtle. Do not forget about safety measures, since when immersed in water, turtles splash water and this can cause an electrical short circuit of the lamp - it is better to protect the surface of the lamp from humidity and water. This lamp should work all day long.

Aquarium water

Since your pet is a representative of an aquatic species, it spends most of its time in water, and that is why it is very important to ensure that the quality of the water is appropriate, since these creatures eat, sleep and defecate... in water. Make sure you have powerful filters and be prepared to change your water frequently.

As for the minimum water level in the aquarium, it should be such that the turtle can turn over without much difficulty if it suddenly finds itself on its back. In other words, the level should be no less than the width of its shell, but it will be better if it is higher, since the more water there is, the easier it is to keep it clean.

Regarding the water temperature regime, it is 22-28 degrees, but in no case lower than 20 degrees.

It is better to change water 1-2 times a week.

What to do if the turtle falls asleep

Before hibernation, the turtle should eat well
. Ideally, the turtle's body should be adequately prepared for hibernation. Because,

Only a healthy reptile that does not have parasites and does not suffer from chronic diseases (more about turtle diseases), and also has the layer of fat it needs for wintering, can safely survive its winter sleep and wake up.

Before hibernation, the turtle should stop feeding, but not stop giving it water, give it a final bath (immersion in water) and then put it to sleep in a pre-prepared box. If you did not have time to do all this, however, you are sure that the animal will be able to survive the winter, you will need to place the sleeping turtle in a box, which you previously lined with peat or moss. During the winter, the inside surface of the box will need to be moistened. At the same time, in order for the turtle to sleep soundly and not be tormented by nightmares, during the first 2 weeks of its hibernation, you will have to reduce the temperature in the room where the box is located to 6-10 degrees above zero.

If you consider yourself a caring turtle breeder, be sure to cover the sleeping turtle with hay or dry leaves. By the way, the box where the reptile sleeps must have holes for ventilation, otherwise your pet will suffocate in its sleep.

If you think that the turtle is not ready to sleep, then it is better to wake it up as quickly as possible.

Useful tips

In order to avoid causing any harm to the red-eared turtle during washing, you can use a few simple tips that will make the bathing process as safe as possible.

1. Bathing should not last more than 5 minutes.
2. When washing, do not turn the turtle upside down so that soapy water does not get into the pet's eyes and nose.
3. If there is a brown coating on the shell, and it does not wash off, it means that it is a fungus. In this case, you will need to buy a special remedy against mycosis.
4. You need to bathe your pet no more than once a week.
5. Red-eared turtles defecate quite often while swimming. If this happens, then it is imperative to change the dirty water.

These simple tips will help any red-eared turtle owner wash their pet without any problems.