Wait! Do turtles really stop eating? Is this even true?
Here is a one-line answer: Turtles do stop eating in the winters because they hibernate! But the reason behind this is something one should really know about.
Turtle is an ectotherm – a type of animal that relies on an external source of heat. Its body temperature tracks that of its environment’s temperature. The hibernation instinct of a turtle gets triggered when the environmental changes take place before the winter. If your turtle isn’t eating as much as it would normally when the winter approaches, that could be a sign that he wants to hibernate. However, you shouldn’t stop feeding because that may not necessarily be the case.
Hibernation of turtles
Those that hibernate :
Most Asian, European, and North American turtles hibernate. Bog, eastern box, snapping, painted, and wood turtles are some of the turtles that take note of changes in nature to sleep the winter away.
Those that don’t:
Since hibernation is a natural reaction that allows turtles to survive food scarcity and temperatures that might kill them, some turtles don’t have to shut down over the winter. This is the case with ones that live in climates with even temperatures and won’t experience much of a climate change. So, depending on where they live, there is a possibility that Florida, ornate box turtles, and the spotted turtles may not hibernate over the winter.
Helping and allowing your turtle to hibernate
The first and foremost thing for a turtle to successfully hibernate is, being healthy. Hibernating could become stressful for your turtle if it’s immune system isn’t in top shape. It is very necessary to have your vet check your turtle out before allowing it to hibernate to make sure that it’s in the best condition for it. If your turtle checks out fine with the vet, you can start reducing the temperature in its tank by two or three degrees each day, but keep in mind that you won’t set it lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit. A hibernating turtle needs a reduction in temperature to help slow its metabolism down. You can also reduce the amount you feed your turtle as its preparing to hibernate, but don’t stop feeding it completely until you notice that it is no longer consuming what you offer. You can provide it with a supply of hay or damp moss. After about 10-11 weeks, you can begin increasing the temperature by a few degrees at a time and allow light into the habitat to encourage it to wake up. Begin feeding it again when its habitat is back to the normal temperature, and you can see it moving around.
How long can hibernation last
Turtles can hibernate for up to a full seven-eight month of the year, depending upon the latitudinal location of origin. The exact time your turtle starts hibernating may vary. It all depends on where you live and what kind of turtle you own.
Conclusion:
You need to have complete knowledge about it, and you should be careful during the hibernation process of your turtle. You must let your turtle take a good long nap and come back again fresh in Spring.
