how do snapping turtles survive winter?

Question

I know they bury themselves in mud at the bottom of a pond, but from where does their oxygen come?

Answer 1

This site says they don't need much O2 in winter and absorb most of that through their skin.

http://www.chesapeakebay.net/info/snapping_turtle.cfm

This site is more technical and says that hibernating snapping turtles get so cold that they use hardly any oxygen. They get the oxygen by sticking their heads out of the mud into the unfrozen water and opening their mouths to let oxygen diffuse in through the linings of the mouth and throat. The article continues to say that a hibernating snapping turtle without enough oxygen will use anaerobic respiration to continue getting a little energy to live on, but that the turtle will pay for that in the spring when the acids from fermentation have built up in its body.

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/snappers.htm

Answer 2

Do Snapping Turtles Hibernate

Answer 3

Where Do Snapping Turtles Live

Answer 4

Different kinds of turtles hibernate in different ways. Most water turtles go deep into the pond and snuggle down into some mud and leaves at the bottom. Then they let themselves get cold. Their bodies slow down so they don't need to eat anymore. Their hearts slow down too so that they beat only once every few minutes. They stop breathing through their lungs. Because their bodies are running at such a slow speed, they don't need much oxygen, but they do need some. They can get the small amount of oxygen they need from the water. It sinks in through some specialized skin cells that are just inside the tail opening. That's right! They "breathe" through their tails! Water turtles can stay like this for two or three months.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
how do snapping turtles survive winter?
I know they bury themselves in mud at the bottom of a pond, but from where does their oxygen come?

Answer 6

They bury themselves in the mud under water. I have forgotten how little oxygen they need but it is reduced by a high degree..Some weird thing like a bubble last them a week. Their metabolism slows down so much that they require very little..

Answer 7

Hybernation is a mysterious thing, I'd say watch the animal channel. !

Answer 8

they dig down into the mud and breath through their skin