do all species of box turtles hibernate?

[Roshi]

do all species of box turtles hibernate?

[egyptiandan]

All the box turtles found in the US do hibernate. The box turtles found in Mexico don't properly hibernate. They will become inactive if there is cooler weather, but it never gets cold enough to hibernate in Mexico.

Danny

[-EJ]

You are so wrong.

Depending on your definition of hibernation... which minimal chelonians do... some of those water turtles in the northern lattitudes do...

Gulf Coast, Florida, Three toeds can be found all year round depending on the climatic conditions.

When warm spells hit they come out. Would you call that hibernating?

It never gets cold enough in mexico????? Plot a paralell line from Brownsville... west. It does get cold enough in Mexico... not for hibernation but for a 'rest period'.

(02-01-2010 02:01 PM)egyptiandan Wrote:  All the box turtles found in the US do hibernate. The box turtles found in Mexico don't properly hibernate. They will become inactive if there is cooler weather, but it never gets cold enough to hibernate in Mexico.

Danny

[kimber_lee_314]

My gulfies and Floridas hibernate - not quite as long as the three toeds and easterns though. My ornates also hibernate for a shorter time.

[Roshi]

what if you kept the enclosure at say 70 and 80 deg constantly. would that make them want to hibernate?

[kimber_lee_314]

No, that is too warm. If you try to hibernate them at that temperature they will burn up fat stores very quickly and can starve to death. They should be kept between 40 and 50 degrees. Make sure you do a lot of careful research about hibernation before you attempt it. If it's not done correctly - you can kill your turtle, and believe me - it happens all the time.

[Roshi]

no, I meant would that make them want to, my goal was not to hibernate them.
would not hibernating them cause health problems?

[kimber_lee_314]

Oh I see - yes those temps should keep them awake. I keep the basking spot anywhere from 85-90 though as long as they can get out of it. I don't use heat at night and let the room get as cold as 60 at night. Not hibernating them doesn't cause any health problems. There is some different views on this - but I believe in letting them hibernate because I have seen research suggesting it's better for them over the long run. But a year or two of not hibernating doesn't hurt them at all. Good luck!

[goodsmeagol]

Great info thanks.
RE: above post about hibernation to death... a year or two will be more then enough time to familiarize my self properly and get to know my three toes, then when I am more comfortable I can begin to hibernate.
Thanks!

(02-06-2010 09:05 PM)kimber_lee_314 Wrote:  Oh I see - yes those temps should keep them awake. I keep the basking spot anywhere from 85-90 though as long as they can get out of it. I don't use heat at night and let the room get as cold as 60 at night. Not hibernating them doesn't cause any health problems. There is some different views on this - but I believe in letting them hibernate because I have seen research suggesting it's better for them over the long run. But a year or two of not hibernating doesn't hurt them at all. Good luck!