Hi,

I just got a new book (I think American written) about caring for turtles and it mentions hibernating them. I've never been informed that turtles need hibernating before and am a bit confused by this. I have two year and a half old map turtles. Would much appreciate advice on whether should hibernate and if so how? Thanks

Aquatic turtles do not need to be hibernated, alot of species do it in the wild (in their native country ie; America) to survive the winter, I know of some people in the UK who leave their large (6" +) Sliders out in a deep pond all year round and they hibernate. Even the most experienced keepers have lost turtles during hibernation, and it's not something I'd do just for the heck of it. A turtle will only think about hibernating if there is a drop in water and basking temperature, aswell as shorter light hours.

Also maps are less hardy than sliders, and their natural range is in the warmer Southern part of the USA, so I certainly wouldn't try it.

Yeah, dont bother unless they are outside, big enough, and you have nowhere inside to put them whilst its cold. It wont harm them to stay awake!

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If you keep your turtles indoors there's no need to even think about it, they don't need to hibernate.

Hibernation, or at least a cooler slow-down period followed by gradual warming, is sometimes used to stimulate breeding, it simulates the coming of spring which is when most species would naturally mate in the wild.