Can pet turtles live in outdoor pond?

Question

I have two red eared sliders and i have had them since they were little. My question is will they survive in an outdoor pond in colorado? Will I have to bring them in in the winter...or can they stay out during the winter as long as i keep the water from freezing. The pond is about 2 feet deep.

Answer 1

Hey John,

The biggest concern with keeping turtles in a pond is predation and escape. Make sure your pond has a fence or over-hanging flag stones so the turtles can't leave. They have a habit (instict) for doing that. lol

As for predation, 2 feet pond it the minimum depth. I don't know how prevalent raccoons are there, but they are excellent and clever hunters. The deeper water provides a retreat and cover from animals. You have to watch out for mammals, birds, and yes people. It wouldn't hurt to make some undertwater hides.

As for basking spot, I find a submerged piece of log with one end waited down (tied down to a weight) and the other end free floating to work the best.

If you canmake sure they cannot escape or get plucked, ponds are the best places for turtles. The natural UV is great for their shell development and not to mention you don't need to clean that tank indoors.

About keeping them in winter. I don't know how cold it gets, but I am sure it gets as cold there as where I am from or more. I get down to -30 in winter. I have hibernated many species of turtles in my basement, garage and yes, in a man-made pond.

You can keep the ice unfrozen by using a 2000 watt trough heater (easy to get at animal farm/feed stores), but that will suck your money out of your pockets. If a few hundred dollars is not an issue, this is your best method. The water will stay just above freezing and this will be fine for your turtles, provided they are 6" or more. I find smaller turtles have a lower core temp and are more suceptable to the elements. The larger the turtle, the better they can maintain their core temps. I would not recommend any hibernation with turtles under 6" where the temps are just above freezing. However, you still can hibernate them in your basement and not fed. If your basement or garage gets below 59F (15 C), and above 54 F (12 C), you can hibernate your smaller turtles indoor. They will slow down, not eat and not bask. Do not provide a heater or basking lamp. Important that smaller turtles don't get too cold, and too weak, which they are prone to do. Large 8-10" plus turtles can handle very cold temps, near freezing.

I do not suggest natural hibernation, where there is ice over the pond, b/c I am not sure if your pond is natural enough to have adequate oxygen in the water. It's also WAY to shallow for natural hibernation. It's really hard to see the pond covered in deep snow with your live animals underneath it. You really need to have the proper set-up.

Anyway, if you have further questions about hibernation, correct term is brumation for reptiles, feel free to email me or post more questions.

Cheers,
JJ

Answer 2

Outdoor Turtle Pond

Answer 3

Indoor Turtle Ponds For Sale

Answer 4

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RE:
Can pet turtles live in outdoor pond?
I have two red eared sliders and i have had them since they were little. My question is will they survive in an outdoor pond in colorado? Will I have to bring them in in the winter...or can they stay out during the winter as long as i keep the water from freezing. The pond is about 2 feet deep.

Answer 5

Yes, they can survive. However, you will have to have a shady area over the tank as well as a place for them to get out and bask. You should have a heater/filter for the pond as well. You will need to put some sort of fencing or netting around to keep out the predators as well. Don't leave them out in the winter as hibernation with a captive RES is dangerous and risky. Instead bring them inside. However, when you bring them in you will have to provide proper lighting since there is no sunlight i.e. a heat bulb and a uvb bulb for a total of two.

Definetly bring them in!

Good luck.

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Answer 7

Outdoor pond? Yes.

Over-winter? At 2' deep, nope. It will get far too cold.

Answer 8

You should bring them in. In the wild they are able to hibernate, but they will not be able to in a man made pond. They will probably die the first time the temperature drops, and 2 feet deep is not deep enough to keep the cold out.

Answer 9

You can buy some heaters, their is a way to create a "tropical" pond for tropical fish with warm water needs, also make sure he has land and wont be able to escape.

If you cant obtain heaters bring him in, its similar to a swimming pool with a heater.

Answer 10

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