ascott said:I still believe you should over winter them this first winter that they are with you....but I believe I shared this already, so now I am just nagging....lol..
I know it's a well-intentioned nag!
We've been preparing for brumation cause that's what they've always done. Even when living indoors with a keeper who tried to keep them awake. Also -- entirely selfishly -- I like the idea of having the winter to work on the yard, travel and do things that are harder for us to do with the torts awake. We've spent the summer soaking and fattening them up, and plan to provide a safe, dry, cool spot for the winter. I know it's not the usual choice made by folks on the forum and I do respect that.
Of course I reserve the right to fret and fuss and second-guess myself through the entire process, and subject you all to it.