Hibernation questions

[Jill and Erica]

Hello all it has been a while since I have been on the site. I have a few concerns with my Myrtle. She seems to be doing well the weather down south has been crazy as of late. The first part of December it was warm in the 70 then we got a cold front and temps have drop quick. When it was warm out Myrtle appeared and I made sure she had fresh water and food. At first she was only wanting to take her dips in her water pool then she ate a little. Then the weather got warmer she came out more. My concern is it got cold fast, the last time I saw her she was dug in shallow not deep. I put more leaf little in her habitat, I think she has now started her hibernation, I need to improve her habitat but will not mess with it until spring. She is outdoors I worry is she warm enough (the soil seems to stay wet) and dug deep enough for proper hibernation. My spouse feels I worry to much about her and stated she will do her own thing just leave her alone and let nature take its courses. So my questions are do I leave her alone? should I put her pot house overtop where she dug in or put more leaf litter in with her? They expect another warm up then will turn cold again does this bother her hibernation? If so what do I do to help her?

 

[TLWR]

When we get cold snaps, I add some extra leaf cover. It was in the upper 60s today and one poked their head out for a while. Seems any time we get to the 60s and some rain, they have been popping up, but just the adults, not the young ones. Those guys went down in late December and have been there since so far.

 

[Jill and Erica]

Thank you I will, I checked on her yesterday and found her dug in to the top of her shell under a pile of the leaves. i got scared when I could not find her so I looked and uncovered her leaves only I did not dig her out, once I saw the top of her shell I replaced the leaves and put the screens down and let her do her thing. I do expect her to attempt to come out due to the temps heating up to the mid seventies this weekend. I will clean out the old leaves if she comes out and replace with fresh leaves. I am still going to wait for spring/summer to improve her home. Thank you again!!!