I found a Red Ear while scooping leaves out of my pond. I believe it is in hiberbation. I brought it in the house and made it a home by following your housing directions. It buried itself in the area of loose, soft dirt. Will it stay that way for a period of time? Should I leave it alone ?
2007-03-08 04:07:38 · 8 answers · asked by jan o 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
You should return it to your pond. Removing it from there could actually harm the turtle especially since it was hibernating.
2007-03-08 04:54:07 · answer #1 · answered by Nunya Biznis 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
NO turtle or tortoise can properly hibernate indoors!!!! Indoor temps are too warm for hibernation and too cool to raise the metabolism enough to make the turtle want to eat. So... they basically starve trying to hibernate indoors. Hibernation can only occur if temps are under about 55 degrees F. Do what is best for the turtle and put it back where you found it. Turtles should not be removed from a happy life in the wild to be imprisoned in a tank for the rest of their 40-50 years of life. Red-eared sliders can get to be 12 inches in length and require huge tanks and an expensive setup it you keep them indoors. Living outdoors in a large garden pond is healthier and makes for a happier turtle.
I'm a rehabber with the Gulf Coast Turtle & Tortoise Society.
2007-03-08 19:13:20 · answer #2 · answered by A1973 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to be the owner of 2 red eared sliders. We got them when my wife and I married.
You are correct during this time they are hibernating. That does not totally mean that they are sleeping but they are much slower. Hibernation in red eared sliders is essential because with out it they will not mate. There is a chemical process that happens in the males during hibernation that allows them tp produce sperm.
Let him stay the way he is for right now. But what you need to do is give him water to swin in as well. They are aquatic turtles. You also need a water heater and a heat lamp as well as a water filter. The water needs to be around 75 degrees. Becareful they will bite their heads stretch far. You can feed him worms as well as goldfish feeders. The bigger he gets the bigger the goldfish. Put him in a tank that has both land and water. Like use rocks that he can climb out of the water. i hope you enjoy it. always wash your hands when you are done they have salmonella
2007-03-08 12:19:33 · answer #3 · answered by larryissfc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should put it back in the leaves or mud in the bottom of the pond.
If it has re-established hibernation in a place that is cold enough (40ish), that is great- but Red-ears almost never hibernate indoors or in dry conditions. More likely, it is just hiding. It might also be badly stressed (both from the current conditions and from being dug up.)
2007-03-08 12:13:45 · answer #4 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depending on where you live, it may be illegal to keep a wild animal in your home. Put him back where he was: he was designed to hibernate so it's an important part of his life cycle. Aquatic turtles can be difficult to keep, tend to be messy and to get dirty quickly, and they can carry salmonella (a very serious intestinal disease, especially to children). They can get vitamin and mineral deficiencies, fungus on the shell, etc. if you're not METICULOUS about their care, and they most ofternw don't show it until it's too late to save their lives. If you're not prepared to spend some money to get a proper set up including sun lamps, calcium supplements, live food, AND a hibernation period every year, and put the time into keeping him clean and healthy, put him back where he belongs and let him carry out his natural life cycle.
2007-03-08 12:29:43 · answer #5 · answered by wollam43 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes leave it alone he or she will be fine. If you decide to keep it, next year, if you will not put it out side, it will not hibernate, actully since you brought it in hear in a couple weeks he or she should come out of hibernation , you will be able to watch it year long. pretty neat huh
(depending on what state you live in being march he or she would have been coming out of hibernation pretty quickly anyhow)
Good luck and hopwe you have fun with you new pet
2007-03-08 18:26:44 · answer #6 · answered by Amanda D 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I own several red-eared sliders. They are aquatic. They perfer to be in water. I keep mine in 55 gallon fish tank. Of course I got like 3 of them.
2007-03-08 12:12:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Out it back before it dies! If you really want one then adopt one there are tons that need new homes.
2007-03-08 22:11:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋