Jeff Kahler: Now that it’s turning cold, reptiles take a turn toward hibernation

Have you noticed? It’s colder outside and the drop in temperature has been relatively sudden. This type of temperature change doesn’t cause too much trouble for us warm-blooded creatures but that is not the case for the poikilothermic ectotherm group. These creatures can’t make their own body heat and their body temperatures are the same as the temperatures of their environment.

Poikilothermic ectotherms are the reptiles, including turtles. There are several species of companion turtles, many kept outdoors that hibernate during winter. The more common species include the California desert tortoise, Russian tortoises, box turtles and a few different species of water turtles kept by those with outdoor aquatic environments.

In normal years, hibernation is somewhat of a gradual process. As the weather begins to cool and the days shorten, turtle bodies begin to slow down metabolically. Previous to this point, it’s common for them to eat more vigorously to store up for the winter’s hibernation. As their metabolism slows, they seek a location for hibernation, usually underground. It’s important that they have a place to dig to provide an appropriate location.

It is also possible to hibernate turtles in artificial environments – as long as they are not heated. Unheated garages work well. Do not hibernate your turtle inside your heated home. I advise using a high-sided cardboard box about two-to-three times the floor area versus turtle area. Place a mix of dried leaves and shredded newspaper about 2 or 3 inches deep on the bottom, insert your turtle and cover with 2 to 3 inches of the same mix.

The turtle likely won’t immediately “go to sleep” but instead might rummage around a bit. During the rummaging, do not remove them from their box and especially do not feed them.

Outdoor hibernation problems come up when the weather changes rapidly, as it has here lately, or if the weather cools rapidly but then suddenly warms up again. Both can create metabolic problems for turtles as their bodies cannot adjust quickly to the conditions. They may come out of hibernation as it warms then suddenly be caught literally out in the cold when the weather cools off again. They can develop disease, commonly respiratory infections, as their bodies become stressed by the confusing weather. You may not notice it until spring when the turtle emerges from hibernation and has a severe respiratory infection.

The key this time of year is to recognize what your turtle is doing and step in if you feel something might be wrong. It may be necessary to keep your turtle from hibernating by providing them with an indoor heated environment to keep them in a normal metabolic state.

If they are kept indoors, it’s important that their body temperatures are raised to the 80 to 88 degree range during the day. This is why I advise against hibernation inside the house. They do not get warm enough to achieve normal metabolism but are not cooled down enough to properly hibernate. I call this a state of “metabolic confusion” and it can be disastrous for your turtle.

Good luck to all your turtles this year and hopefully they will all emerge in good health next spring.

This story was originally published November 9, 2015 at 7:28 PM with the headline "Jeff Kahler: Now that it’s turning cold, reptiles take a turn toward hibernation."