Topic
l have 2 red eared slider water turtles in my outdoor pond. It is getting cold outside and l do not know what to do with them. What sort of indoor habitat do l create to keep them healthy and happy?
What do I do with my red eared slider outdoor water turtles in the winter
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What do I do with my red eared slider outdoor water turtles in the winter
Best thing to to to ensure they survive the winter is to bring them inside. Since u have two, depending on their size u will need something anywhere between 55 & 100 gallon aquarium. You could also use a large rubbermaid container, but be sure it is pet proof if u have a dog or cat. The water should be as deep as 1 & 1/2 time the turtle is length & they should have a heat lamp, as well as an area where they can come out of the water completely to try. I have a set up similar to this & it is very simple to keep up. You will only have to change the water occasionally. Do a search of red ear slider 'care sheet' & it will state all the heats u will need to ensure r there.
What do I do with my red eared slider outdoor water turtles in the winter
They should have a place to dig a hole to hybernate for the winter.
What do I do with my red eared slider outdoor water turtles in the winter
go to wal-mart or kmart n get a plastic kiddie pool.make an island in middle , n enjoy
What do I do with my red eared slider outdoor water turtles in the winter
Buy a aquarium and put mud and leaves on the bottom.Then put water inside.
What do I do with my red eared slider outdoor water turtles in the winter
Hibernation
Hibernation is a torpid period for the Red Ear Slider that occurs during the winter months. It is not necessary to hibernate captive RES & is generally not recommended. When ur turtles r kept indoors year-round, there is probably nothing to change. If u keep ur RES outdoors, u will need to bring them inside if ur area experiences cold winters.
RES that do hibernate do so in the thick muddy bottoms of ponds that r several feet deep & have a large surface area. Since they do not surface for oxygen because it is absorbed through the membranes of the mouth, throat & cloaca, well oxygenated water is a necessity. Most artificial & pre-formed ponds do not offer sufficient depth or conditions to achieve proper hibernation.
Another hazard is the water temperatures. A slider will become less active & may refuse to eat if water temperatures r too cold but not cold enough to hibernate. A good water temperature for active RES is 75-78 degrees Fahrenheit or 24-26 degrees Celsius.
Sliders in the southern states can be kept outside all year round, in which they will hibernate on their own. That is if u have provided them with a deep enough pond with a thick mud bottom for the turtles to bury themselves in.
What do I do with my red eared slider outdoor water turtles in the winter
I fix mine up with a bowl and a lamp about 40 watt.For heat Ty
What do I do with my red eared slider outdoor water turtles in the winter
How deep is your pond? Do the turtles have any mud to burrow in or is it one of those plastic-lined fake ponds? And what region are you in. do you get alot of freezing weather in your area?