Should Turtles Be Kept in Water During Cold Weather? Best Housing Practices

When the weather turns cold, it's generally best not to keep turtles in water. Typically, it's preferable to house them in soil or sand, where they can burrow themselves. If you choose to keep them in water, it should be a very small amount. The turtle enclosure should be placed indoors in a location that receives sunlight, which benefits their growth.

Keeping turtles in water during cold weather is generally not recommended. If turtles hibernate during the winter, being kept in water can disrupt this process. While not all turtles hibernate, most do. Hibernation is a natural behavior for turtles, and even if the temperature is warm enough to prevent it, avoiding it could impact the turtle’s development. Therefore, when keeping turtles during cold winter months, it's best not to keep them in water, or to only use a small amount, just enough to reach the bottom of their shell (carapace). For turtle hibernation, housing them in sand or soil is ideal. Regularly spray water to maintain moisture; turtles will burrow into the substrate, and the moist environment will help them breathe. The turtle enclosure should be placed indoors in a sunny location, which aids in sterilization and provides calcium for the turtles.

Turtle Hibernation Precautions

1. Turtle hibernation typically lasts for around 3-4 months. It's crucial to ensure your turtle has adequate nutrition and fat reserves before winter, so they have the necessary energy to survive the hibernation period. If a turtle is malnourished, eats too little, or is weak or has low immunity, it may not survive the entire hibernation period.

2. Before hibernation, you should fast your turtle for a few days to allow them to fully digest food. The owner should help the turtle clean out its waste. If this is not done, the waste will remain in the intestines, which could cause intestinal issues after hibernation.Source:5D Pet World