Spring is now in full swing and many of the turtles are taking advantage of the sun today. Lots of breeding activity now too!
Spring time basking!
- Thread starter Markw84
- Start date
Wow, how many do you have and do you know the size of the biggest? There's some huge looking ones.
Now, for the actual pond. Like I told Jeff (N2Torts). I need a hammock and one of those tropical umbrella drinks and I'd be good right next to the pond please
Now, for the actual pond. Like I told Jeff (N2Torts). I need a hammock and one of those tropical umbrella drinks and I'd be good right next to the pond please
There are about 60 turtles in the pond. 10 different species. We only keep N American turtles. 25 of them are a group of spotted turtles that stay in the upper pond that is overgrown with aquatic plants giving them an environment they really seem to like. They rarely venture down into the lower, bigger pond but when they do, will climb back up to their area by end of day
The largest is a Suwanee Cooter I've had since hatching in 1984. She is about 16" and probably 12-15 lbs
People visiting are surprised to hear there are that many turtles in the pond as I've created many natural hiding areas. It's fun to take people to the upper pond. They will maybe see 2-5 turtles initially but since the spotteds are so friendly, they soon all start emerging looking for food. Tossing in handfuls of mealworms or shrimp or red wriggles, there will soon be 20 spotted turtles at your feet along with a few musk turtles who love that area too
The largest is a Suwanee Cooter I've had since hatching in 1984. She is about 16" and probably 12-15 lbs
People visiting are surprised to hear there are that many turtles in the pond as I've created many natural hiding areas. It's fun to take people to the upper pond. They will maybe see 2-5 turtles initially but since the spotteds are so friendly, they soon all start emerging looking for food. Tossing in handfuls of mealworms or shrimp or red wriggles, there will soon be 20 spotted turtles at your feet along with a few musk turtles who love that area too
@Markw84
Reviving the old thread. I'm guessing you hibernate the turtles in that pond or does it stay warm all year? What are the pond temps in summer and winter? Thanks
Kevin
The pond warms to low 80s in the summer and right now ( Dec 9) the pond is 52f. It will get into the low 40s on the coldest nights in winter.
The turtles do brumate as it is not cold enough long enough for a full hibernation. Most simply sleep at the bottom of the pond an may rise to the surface on a warmer day a few times during the winter. I do not feed anything in the pond usually from late October until late March.
Wow, your pond is just stunning! It looks like a paradise.
Thanks Mark. One last question. Did you do anything to prepare the pond for the brumation? Like add substrate for them to dig into, caves, sight barriers, etc.
Thanks
Kevin
Yes, I provide stacked blocks with large flat rocks creating caves in the big portion of the pond. In my upper pond I have 10-12 live plants in 11" square plant baskets along with a large cave. The upper pond is only 12" deep but this gives lots of plant cover and I leave some of the dead plant cover through the winter for the plants that die back in winter.
My Cooters and Sliders simply lie, sleeping for weeks without moving at the bottom of the large pond, usually in groups but not under cover.
The maps and Painteds and Rozorback Musk sleep in the caves all winter
The Spotteds and the Stinkpots stay hidden amongst the plants in the upper pond. Some of the spotted like to dig in under a plant outside the pond, but I have to watch that as rats are a constant threat, and will chew on the shells damaging the shells of large ones and killing smaller ones. I HATE the RATS!
Yes, I provide stacked blocks with large flat rocks creating caves in the big portion of the pond. In my upper pond I have 10-12 live plants in 11" square plant baskets along with a large cave. The upper pond is only 12" deep but this gives lots of plant cover and I leave some of the dead plant cover through the winter for the plants that die back in winter.
My Cooters and Sliders simply lie, sleeping for weeks without moving at the bottom of the large pond, usually in groups but not under cover.
The maps and Painteds and Rozorback Musk sleep in the caves all winter
The Spotteds and the Stinkpots stay hidden amongst the plants in the upper pond. Some of the spotted like to dig in under a plant outside the pond, but I have to watch that as rats are a constant threat, and will chew on the shells damaging the shells of large ones and killing smaller ones. I HATE the RATS!
Very cool. Neat to see turtle species, like the musks, that would normally be housed indoors in such a big pond. So great that you are able to keep them out year round. Have you ever lost any of them during brumation?
