3-toed brumation question

[rwfoss]

This is my first winter with tortoises/turtles. The two I purchased earlier in the year do not "hybernate," but I acquired a 3-toed boxie from a friend that didn't want her anymore. She has stopped eating, but she seems to be awake part of the day and moves around the enclosure, changing her position. Should I remove her, place her in a smaller (secure) enclosure and put her in a colder part of the house?

Thanks in advance!

Rick

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Rick:

I usually tell people to keep their hibernating turtles and tortoises awake for that first winter that they have them. This gives you a better chance to understand your turtle's quirks and to know whether or not its healthy and fat enough to withstand the long sleep.

Because they can sense the change in the season, shorter days, cooler nights, its sometimes hard to be inventive enough to make the turtle realize it really isn't winter and they can't go to sleep. You have to make sure they have long summer-time days, and keep the light on for 12 to 14 hours. You may need a heat source so they turtle doesn't feel the cold night.

So, warm soaks every morning then place the turtle in front of the food and step out of sight. Hopefully it will wake up and get back to being active.