TurtleBonBon
New Member
I have had a box turtle for 2 years now. She is over 20 years old. I haven't let her hibernate before since I keep her inside all year, but I'm not sure if the previous owners did or not.
The last 2 years she would slow down in the winter, but keep eating.
This year she has been refusing food for about 3 and a half weeks, even her favorite treats like worms and blueberries. She has managed to eat 2 or 3 of each in total over the time and a few bites of turtle food but generally isn't even interested in eating. I've tried everything I can think of, and many different foods.
I amthinking she is determined to hibernate, since she is also burrowing during the day even with the heat lamp & uvb on.
I am afraid it could be dangerous since she hasn't been eating anything for so long and was extremely active for 1.5 weeks of the not eating.
Should I let her hibernate or continue to keep her warm and try to get her to eat?
I read that you could try hibernating for a week or two, then check on them. I am considering this.
Her eyes, mouth, and skin look ok and she is alert and moving her head around when not sleeping. I don't think she is sick, just sleepy.
I wasn't worried when she started fasting because this happens occasionally and then a few worms will convince her to eat other foods. Now, she will not eat or come out of her hiding place at all.
I am in California, so it is not too cold here. I have the heat to 75-80 during the day, and 55-60 at night. There is a uvb light. Its almost time to replace it. The substrate is dirt and spaghum moss, maybe 3", with a tile and rock basking area. Her box is 5'x3' with 2 hiding places, one humid. I haven't changed anything. I leave the lights on from 8am to 8pm but I know she can tell it's winter and I'm not fooling anyone, even though outside temps are 60. Maybe 45 at night. It is totally dark by 5:30 though.
I have a closet that doesn't get heating and would be a good place to hibernate.
appreciate your advice
The last 2 years she would slow down in the winter, but keep eating.
This year she has been refusing food for about 3 and a half weeks, even her favorite treats like worms and blueberries. She has managed to eat 2 or 3 of each in total over the time and a few bites of turtle food but generally isn't even interested in eating. I've tried everything I can think of, and many different foods.
I amthinking she is determined to hibernate, since she is also burrowing during the day even with the heat lamp & uvb on.
I am afraid it could be dangerous since she hasn't been eating anything for so long and was extremely active for 1.5 weeks of the not eating.
Should I let her hibernate or continue to keep her warm and try to get her to eat?
I read that you could try hibernating for a week or two, then check on them. I am considering this.
Her eyes, mouth, and skin look ok and she is alert and moving her head around when not sleeping. I don't think she is sick, just sleepy.
I wasn't worried when she started fasting because this happens occasionally and then a few worms will convince her to eat other foods. Now, she will not eat or come out of her hiding place at all.
I am in California, so it is not too cold here. I have the heat to 75-80 during the day, and 55-60 at night. There is a uvb light. Its almost time to replace it. The substrate is dirt and spaghum moss, maybe 3", with a tile and rock basking area. Her box is 5'x3' with 2 hiding places, one humid. I haven't changed anything. I leave the lights on from 8am to 8pm but I know she can tell it's winter and I'm not fooling anyone, even though outside temps are 60. Maybe 45 at night. It is totally dark by 5:30 though.
I have a closet that doesn't get heating and would be a good place to hibernate.
appreciate your advice