Time to get ready....

[Eric Phillips]

....The first Sunday close to September has always been the process of getting my outside friends ready for the winter months. The ground has been loosened, the turtles got their soaks, and today is layering of grass clippings. Over the next month about 2 feet of leaves will be added to all the enclosures. Hard to believe the turtle season for us snow birds will soon be over

 

[Tom]

One of the things I enjoy most about this forum is getting to share info and perspective with other people in other parts of the world who keep chelonians. I love learning from other's experiences and seeing what works for other people.

You are prepping for winter, and we are experiencing the hottest days of the year right now. My daily high won't be lower than 105 for the next week. The thermometer says 105, but it actually feels more like 125. I know I could cook an egg in a black skillet outside right now… And Houston is underwater right now…

Anyhow, your enclosures look amazing. If I die and come back as a box turtle, I want to live at your house.

 

[Eric Phillips]

One of the things I enjoy most about this forum is getting to share info and perspective with other people in other parts of the world who keep chelonians. I love learning from other's experiences and seeing what works for other people.

You are prepping for winter, and we are experiencing the hottest days of the year right now. My daily high won't be lower than 105 for the next week. The thermometer says 105, but it actually feels more like 125. I know I could cook an egg in a black skillet outside right now… And Houston is underwater right now…

Anyhow, your enclosures look amazing. If I die and come back as a box turtle, I want to live at your house.

Thank You Tom for your wonderful compliment. I appreciate the kind words, however my enclosures are a by product of studying so many talented individuals and their enclosures. My drive is to make them more bio-diversified every year so they can function on their own, lol! I'm getting there, but definitely have more ideas to apply. Crazy, hot weather you are experiencing.... I feel for you for sure. I agree with your sentiments, I love seeing different regions and how people apply different processes within their region for their animals. Trust me come January, I want your weather, lol! I knew posting this thread would probably get some to raise their eyebrows, but from experience winter in the northern states will come up and bite you before you know it. 2 more weeks my box turtles will eat less and less and then for another 2 weeks they will be completely less active, won't eat, and will start digging their forms. By first of October most are down even if the weather is decent. Better to be over prepared than under for sure. Keep that air-conditioner a running and stay cool my friend lol!

 

[wellington]

Wow, I can't believe you need to start so early. Sad, having to think about winter so early. I tell ya though. We may get cold and snow, but at least where i am, that's all I get. None of the other stuff the warmer states get and I sure wouldn't want.
I agree with Tom, your enclosures looks great.

 

[Tom]

Thank You Tom for your wonderful compliment. I appreciate the kind words, however my enclosures are a by product of studying so many talented individuals and their enclosures. My drive is to make them more bio-diversified every year so they can function on their own, lol! I'm getting there, but definitely have more ideas to apply. Crazy, hot weather you are experiencing.... I feel for you for sure. I agree with your sentiments, I love seeing different regions and how people apply different processes within their region for their animals. Trust me come January, I want your weather, lol! I knew posting this thread would probably get some to raise their eyebrows, but from experience winter in the northern states will come up and bite you before you know it. 2 more weeks my box turtles will eat less and less and then for another 2 weeks they will be completely less active, won't eat, and will start digging their forms. By first of October most are down even if the weather is decent. Better to be over prepared than under for sure. Keep that air-conditioner a running and stay cool my friend lol!

I find the time frames you note interesting.

In the past I've kept Argentine Tegu's, and I preferred to house them outdoors as adults. When I bought my first one's from Bert Langerwurf (The real Lizard King.), he told me that they would go down mid September. I told him that we have temps in the 80s and 90s all the way into late October here, and he replied: "That won't matter. Mid September, they will go to ground and you won't see them again until April." He was right. Didn't matter what the weather was doing. All of them stopped eating in late August or early September and by mid-month, I would not see them above ground anymore.

Sounds like your box turtles have the same sort of internal clock.

 

[Eric Phillips]

Wow, I can't believe you need to start so early. Sad, having to think about winter so early. I tell ya though. We may get cold and snow, but at least where i am, that's all I get. None of the other stuff the warmer states get and I sure wouldn't want.
I agree with Tom, your enclosures looks great.

I know, It sounds crazy but beyond the low's creeping in the mid to upper 40's, the internal clock is ticking on the length of the day. I firmly believe the orientation of earth relative to the sun plays a major factor on their behavior. As I stated, it could be 80 in October and I won't see any of them. Amazing how intuitive they are of their own bodies and surroundings.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Love all your enclosures, Eric.
When will they come out in the spring ?

 

[Eric Phillips]

Love all your enclosures, Eric.
When will they come out in the spring ?

Thank you! Some will start mid to late April, usually by first of May, they are all up and starting to eat.

 

[ColleenT]

I am also trying to fatten up my guys. Once the leaves start falling, i will grab them for them. I am happy they hibernated successfully last winter and am hoping for the same thing again.

 

[lisa127]

I find the time frames you note interesting.

In the past I've kept Argentine Tegu's, and I preferred to house them outdoors as adults. When I bought my first one's from Bert Langerwurf (The real Lizard King.), he told me that they would go down mid September. I told him that we have temps in the 80s and 90s all the way into late October here, and he replied: "That won't matter. Mid September, they will go to ground and you won't see them again until April." He was right. Didn't matter what the weather was doing. All of them stopped eating in late August or early September and by mid-month, I would not see them above ground anymore.

Sounds like your box turtles have the same sort of internal clock.

Wow, that's really interesting!

 

[mark1]

i put grass piles in the yard last weekend , they're like box turtle magnets ......... everybody was dispersed throughout the yard , after 3 days i think everyone of them was in a grass pile .... i had one living under a shovel all summer , he even abandoned his shovel ........

 

[AJK Aquaria]

We had some frigid weather early Sept but the last 2 weeks or so it's been blazing out. Into the 90s. Our boxies were very inactive, with some dug in. The warm weather changed all that and most are out on patrol throughout the day. Glad we got this warm front at the end of summer. Before you know it, they'll be gone for about 6 months...

 

[Eric Phillips]

We had some frigid weather early Sept but the last 2 weeks or so it's been blazing out. Into the 90s. Our boxies were very inactive, with some dug in. The warm weather changed all that and most are out on patrol throughout the day. Glad we got this warm front at the end of summer. Before you know it, they'll be gone for about 6 months...

How did the move go Adam? Yeah, it's crazy warm here too!

 

[AJK Aquaria]

Took forever. Turtles were moved as soon as I could, but I'm not done with the enclosure. It's not what I wanted but there's always next year. Busiest and fastest summer I've ever had. Thanks for asking.