BONSYLAR read this: PAINTED TURTLE HIBERNATION?

Question

Ok, i answered a question for someone about painted turtle hibernation, and i told them that painted turtles buried them beneath the ponds and streams, and she said i dont know what im talking about, which i do. who here agrees with me that actually knows something about reptiles?

ill try to be more clear: I answered someones question, lets say there name is Jim. So i told jim that painted turtles buried themselves beneath the ponds and streams in the mud, and then in the next answer, Bonsylar said that i do not know what shes talking about. Who agrees with me that painted turtles do hibernate in the winter under the ponds in the mud?

yo bonsylar, i have seen many shows on these, and research them extensively. i have a wide knowledge of all animals, and i own reptiles, dogs, fish, amphibians... and if you were really smart you wouldnt be a vet tech, you would be a vet.

Answer 1

Bonsylar here.
Hibernation is an extended form of SLEEP, that animals use to conserve energy though the winter when food is scarce and cold temperatures are too stressful for the animal to survive.
Air breathing animals have to breath air. Think about when you are sleeping, you breathe right? Same for them. They have to breathe air. Under water they can't breathe.
Perhaps these animals do as wild fish do, go deeper into ponds where the water doesn't freeze. They will still require trips to the surface for AIR. Because they are air breathing animals. This is NOT hibernation.
I am a Veterinary Technition. I went to school to learn this stuff. I own turtles, and tortoises. I PERSONALLY have seen hibernating turtles. Have you?
What experience have you had, or what book or Discovery Channel show can you draw this knowledge from.
There are plenty of old tales that people confuse for the truth. Please check your facts.

And, sweetie, talk directly to me. Click on my picture and email me.

Answer 2

It is well documented that painted turtles, etc. hibernate in mud in ponds below the freezing water line- although, obviously, tortoises and American box turtles do not.

Hibernation is far more than a form of sleep- the chemical composition of the blood changes, the body's metabolism changes, the very biochemistry changes. The turtle operates with about 1/100th of the bioenergy it needs while sleeping, and barely breathes or has a heart rate.

They can absorb the small amount of necessary air from the oxygen-rich water (cold water holds more oxygen than warm water does- one reason the polar seas are so rich in life). Most turtles absorb the necessary gasses through the lining of the mouth and throat, but some species are known to use cloacal breathing, and others can absorb it through the soft tissues around the rear legs. Scientists have documented this by simply dying the water around turtles hibernating in 39 degree water and watching it move into and out of the turtle's various openings.

There are a lot of other fascinating aspects to this- the breathing trigger for turtles is a need for O2, rather than the mammalian need to eliminate CO2, the thermodymanics of the water under ice, etc. but this will do for now.

This is one of the best non-technical articles on hibernation and turtles I have come across: http://www.tortoisereserve.org/Sundry/Hibernate_Body2.html

A similar but far less intense form of reduced metabolism is 'estivation' (or aestivation). Turtles are not widely known to estivate, but many warm-climate reptiles do to escape the extreme heat or dryness. In estivation, the metabolism does not change as radically and the animal still breaths air.

As much as I hate to say it about anyone posting here to try to help others, as Bonsylar does, she is mistaken on this particular topic.

Answer 3

painted turtles survive the winter by hibernating . In the fall they put on extra fat and, as the temperature drops, they
gradually become less active. Finally they burrow deep into the mud at the bottom of ponds and go into hibernation.
Scientists have found that the blood of hibernating turtles actually changes. Like the antifreeze used in the winter to keep the
water in car radiators from freezing, turtle blood changes so that it can withstand cold temperatures. As a result, turtle body
temperatures can drop to only a few degrees above freezing -- much lower than that of most animals that hibernate . As they
warm up, turtles wake up and slowly become active. Early warm spells can be dangerous because if they wake up too soon,
a sudden return to cold weather may catch them unprepared and they may freeze. In fact, winter weather can be the biggest
danger a turtle faces in its adult life. Painted turtles are hardy though, and it is not unusual to see them swimming under ice
during the winter.

Answer 4

The painted turtle can most readily be seen enjoying its favorite pastime: basking. It is one of Iowas first reptiles out of hibernation. Individuals can sometimes be seen basking on warm March days. Retiring into hibernation in late October, they are one of the last Iowa reptiles to enter their winter sleep. Adults overwinter at the bottom of the lake or pond in the mud. During their active period, they spend time basking interspersed with foraging for food in the water. Often there will be one or more 'prime' basking sites where many turtles will sit upon one another, sometimes up to three in a stack.

Answer 5

it incredibly is unquestionably a painted turtle. some people call them yellow bellies. From what I see in this %that is no longer a purple-eared slider. A res has a eco-friendly appropriate shell, and the tummy is yellow with black varieties on it, on an identical time as the painted turtle has an excellent yellow abdomen.

Answer 6

i agree with you any one who watches discovery channel should know that most turtles that spend a lot of time in the water can absorb oxygen through the skin on their neck ,I feel like taking bow !!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

you are correct

Answer 8

uuuuhuhhh sureeeeeeeeee....english plz?