How to keep a turtle in winter? Do this after it wakes from hibernation

Turtles are ectothermic animals. In winter, the suitable keeping temperature is between 5-15°C. Generally, when the winter temperature is below 10°C, the turtle will hibernate; when the temperature is below 0°C, the turtle may freeze to death; when the temperature rises above 15°C, the turtle will wake from hibernation. So, how do you keep a turtle in winter? What should you do after it wakes from hibernation?

1. How do you keep a turtle in winter?

1. The temperature must be appropriate.

(1) Northern regions: In the northeast, northwest and northern regions, winter temperatures are very low, generally below 0°C. The turtle can be kept in a heated room for the winter; these places all have heating, and the temperature is usually between 15-18°C, so the turtle will not freeze to death in such an environment.

(2) Southern regions: In the southeast, southwest and southern regions, winter temperatures are not very low, basically between 5-15°C. The turtle can be kept indoors, and it generally will not freeze to death.

(3) The middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and the Central Plains: In the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and the Central Plains, winter temperatures are relatively low, and the Huang-Huai region also has a long freezing period. You can consider using a heating rod to raise the temperature for the winter, or prepare a plastic box, spread moist soil or mixed sand, bury the turtle, and spray water every few days to keep it moist.

2. The water level must be appropriate.

(1) Temperature above 10°C: The water level in the tank can remain at the usual level, that is, 2 times the height of the turtle's body.

(2) Temperature below 10°C: The water level in the tank should be kept at 2—3 cm. If it is at the normal water level, once the temperature drops suddenly beyond the turtle's cold tolerance limit, it may freeze to death. If the turtle is buried in sand, spray water every few days to keep it moist.

3. Stop feeding.

In autumn, the turtle should be fed until it is plump, to prepare for storing nutrients for winter. Stop feeding 3-5 days before hibernation, then soak it in warm water for three or four days to defecate and empty its intestines. When it has fully entered hibernation, place it in a quiet place. There is no need to feed it during this period, until it wakes from hibernation.

4. Precautions.

A hibernating turtle must be healthy. If it is not healthy, it should be treated and recovered before hibernating. Before hibernation, the turtle must empty its stomach and intestines. The place where the turtle is placed must be quiet, and it should not be moved frequently. If it is kept in a heated room, keep the temperature constant and do not let it fluctuate between hot and cold. Do not let the turtle bask in the sun, otherwise it will wake midway, and if this happens repeatedly, the turtle will starve to death. If it is a young hatchling or a weak, sick turtle, hibernation is not recommended; it can be kept with added heat through the winter.

2. What should you do after a turtle wakes from hibernation?

1. When the temperature rises to 15°C, the turtle will wake from hibernation. After waking, the turtle's body is relatively weak. Do not rush to feed it food; even if you feed it, it will not eat. First put it in clean water to swim for a day or two, so that it completely defecates.

2. After the turtle defecates, you can carry out the first feeding. The food should be high-energy food, mainly to restore the turtle's physical strength, such as live fish, live shrimp, earthworms, raw meat, etc., but do not feed it too much.

3. After the first feeding, soak the turtle in a potassium permanganate solution to disinfect and sterilize it, because a turtle that has woken from hibernation is weak and its resistance has also decreased, while in spring bacteria begin to breed, and the turtle is prone to illness.

Summary: Winter temperatures are very low, so the temperature for keeping a turtle should not be lower than 5°C, otherwise it may freeze to death. During hibernation, there is no need to feed it, and after it wakes from hibernation, do not rush to feed it either. It should be put in clean water to let it completely defecate, and only after defecating can it be fed.