is indoor brumation (inactivity during winter) safe for a pet turtle?

Question

brumation defined as inactivity (ie refusal to eat) during winter.
is brumation ok for my pet turtle? I've recently just come across this now when someone had told me about it

I never knew there could be a problem with this as my turtle has passed a couple winters like this

I am wondering if I should do something now that I've come across this problem?

Answer 1

One site I looked at places turtles in boxed dirt in the garage during winter; however, if you wouldn't like to not see them all winter, I wouldn't worry so much about it...Turtles naturally hibernate during winter...

Answer 2

In North America, it is recommended that a 3'x3' box is constructed of plywood with access from above. Drill holes all over for aereation. Box should be filled with a mixture of clean dirt, (no fertilizer, pesticides) leaves and peat moss in equal combination.
Depending on when Autumn occurs in your area, the turtle will slack off eating and sit in it's water dish, trying to clean out it's own body. If it goes into hibernation w/food in the gut, is not healthy for the turtle.
After the turtle shows no more interest in eating and appears to be sleeping, is the time to place it down in the middle of the wooden box. Lightly tap 2 long nails partially into the box. Long nails allow some space for you to look in the box but the turtle can't escape. Place the box, preferrably in a 55 degree area, like a basement, otherwise a dark closet in a basement. Occasionally during times of mild weather, the turtle will move around the box. Make sure it gets buried back down in the middle of the box and lightly nail shut again. The hibernation period generally depends on how far north you are located. In Missouri, November-thru March is our recommended time. Box turtles can live up to 30 years in captivity if properly cared for. When the turtle wakens, make sure it has a nice supply of red fruits/vegetables, nightcrawlers/slugs, crickets, mealworms, waxworms, superworms and provide dandelions and dark green leafy vegetables. For pysychological reasons, the turtle needs about 10-12 hours of indirect sunlight a day. Make sure the water dish is large enough for the turtle to get the whole way wet. They love to poop in the water too.