How Do Turtles Get Through Winter? A Detailed Guide to Winter Care

Turtles get through winter by hibernating.Generally, from around October, or when the temperature drops below 13 degrees, the turtle will enter a state of hibernation. Hibernation lasts for about 3-4 months, so starting in September you need to fatten the turtle up. Let's take a look below at how turtles are kept.

How are turtles kept?

1. Lighting

Prepare a piece of land as a basking platform. It does not need to be too large; about one fifth of the tank volume is enough.

2. Feeding

For aquatic turtles, feed fish and shrimp directly. Those who are able can go to Taobao and buy some mosquitofish to feed as the staple food for the turtle, paired with some Neocaridina shrimp. This is the best approach, as it can exercise the turtle's biting ability, making the turtle's head larger and more attractive. At the same time, Neocaridina shrimp are rich in astaxanthin, which can improve the turtle's shell color and the color of its markings. Long-term consumption can make the turtle look more like it has natural quality.

3. Changing the water

Most turtle tanks have a filtration system, so most people neglect the step of changing the water. In fact, although the turtle tank appears to have a very powerful filtration function, the feces in the gaps between the stones cannot be filtered out, and over time it will affect the water quality. It is recommended that you change 1/3 of the water once a week, and do a thorough cleaning of the turtle tank once every 3 months.

4. Mixed keeping

If they are the same species, the same size, and gentle-natured turtles, and there is enough space and enough food, they can still be kept together. But for ferocious types of turtles like snapping turtles and soft-shelled turtles, I suggest everyone still not keep them mixed together.

In addition, turtles generally hibernate in sand or soil, so when it is about to enter hibernation you need to prepare sand and soil.