nick777 Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 Hi all My turtles are 3 years old and this is the first year they are spending winter outside. Is it normal they are not eating? They still seem to move around so don't think they're hibernating...It's been like this for about 2 months since the weather got cold...are they going to be alright??? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
repto Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 as long as you don`t stuff around with them and pick them up etc?just leave them to it,if they were healthy and fat they will be fine.Normal for them to move around even sun themselves on a fine day(males more so) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoon Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 if they go into hibernation with food in there bellies it can rot inside them so probably why they are not eating as they will be slowing down to hibernate, turtles in hibernation can wake up on a warm day and go sun themselves then go back into hibernation!! PM donnaM for more hibernation details Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broms2 Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 pretty normal in Auckland, mine stopped eating a couple of months a ago and only appear on a nice sunny day for a bit of sunbathing, just watch them for drastic weight loss or infections on their first winter out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick777 Posted July 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 They seem to be moving around everyday and lost a lot of weight too..should I be worried??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 have you got an area for them to hibernate in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick777 Posted July 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 They are in a baby bath tub with some water and stones in the middle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 so nowhere to dig in then? some of ours go to sleep on bottom of the pond but water is 2 feet deep how big is baby bath? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick777 Posted July 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 Sadly no...1.5mx1.5m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broms2 Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 how deep? if too shallow and no muck on the bottom as Living Art suggested then will be struggling with the cold, might be a good idea to bring them in for the rest of winter if possible and re-try next year with the setup more suitable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick777 Posted July 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 About 30cm deep, no muck on bottom...maybe I need to find a way to bring them in this winter.. :oops: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 just move whole baby bath into garage, room or similar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick777 Posted July 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 umm....we just recently moved into an apartment in the city so it's kinda hard to find space...I feel so sorry for them... would someone be kind enough to look after them for me this winter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 pm broms maybe? or stick a heater in the water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaM Posted July 14, 2009 Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 Yes a heater in the water would bring temp up...but do it SLOWLY...dont even bother to try feeeding until they look really active and have 'normal' behaviours. Check out http://www.happyturtlespub for some great turtle advice from people in USA where the RES originates from. I agree with Livingart that moving them inside somewhere would be advisable. Thats not a big/deep enough environment for them to successfully hibernate in and they really need to have something to burrow themselves into to stay warm. My hibernating lot move under water and stare at me when I check on them, but I wouldnt disturb them in any way. mmm...I hope it was OK to post that link....its a very good site specific to turtles so thought it would help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick777 Posted July 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 Thanks Donna, that's very helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaM Posted July 14, 2009 Report Share Posted July 14, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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