Box Turtle Hibernation

[pneumaticbetta]

Im in the process of putting my three toed box turtle into hibernation for the first time. I have been doing some reading online and have found out that the turtle should not have any food in their stomach prior to hibernation. It has been 5 days and my turtle has not had anything to eat, i also have been soaking him in water for 5 minutes everyday. He is a healthy turtle. My question is...how do i know i am not starving my turtle? How do i know if he is hibernating? He is acting just like he always has, he has not slowed down but he is starting to burrow. It is about 85 degrees high and 55 degrees low. I keep him free roaming in the back yard.

 

[egyptiandan]

Those temperatures aren't quite low enough for hibernation.
Where are you located?

Danny

 

[Marla]

With my free roaming boxes I just take the food away, but they pretty much decide when they will hibernate..I supply the housing for them outside...It has to stay cold during the day as well as night for them to hibernate....