Hibernation Temps

[jnc52]

Hi
I am hibernating my two new three toed north american box tortoise in the fridge. I am a little concerned, the temp hangs around the 37-40 degrees F and everywhere I have read they need to be at 40-45
for the past 6 years they have been hibernated outside so i expect that the temps actually get colder than that. should i be concerned?

 

[dmmj]

I would say no need to worry. box turtles are pretty smart and if they have been hibernating outside with no problems, then I don't think you need to change anything.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Jon:

What's the weather like in New Zealand? Its starting to warm up pretty good here in Central Calif. and all my box turtles have been awake for a month or so.

All the info I've heard about hibernating tells me that ideally their temperature should be between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Any colder and you run the risk of frost damage to their eye balls, and any warmer and they don't go totally into hibernation.

When a box turtle hibernates naturally outside, he digs down below the frost line, and he doesn't get down to freezing.

But I'm starting to question almost everything I've ever known about turtles and tortoises. Most of what I've learned has been from books and first hand experience. We're learning so much more now-a-days that it makes me a little insecure.

Is the fridge dedicated totally to your turtles? If so, you can adjust the temperature upwards a bit, can't you?

 

[yagyujubei]

I like around 40 degrees. Last year, I checked mine in Jan or Feb, and two of mine were almost completely encased in ice and oak leaves, frozen to the bottom of the container.(It evidently got colder than I had intended. I warmed them enough to free them from the ice, and they're all fine. I basically hibernate mine in wet leaves. I am planning to get a fridge for next winter, though.

 

[bettinge]

40 is your goal!