How long does a land tortoise hibernate? Turtle hibernation at home

AT recent times it is becoming more and more fashionable to keep red-eared turtles at home. What kind of animal is this and why is it so popular? What are the features of the behavior and maintenance of these animals?

Description of the species

Red-eared turtles in nature reach 30 cm in length (in terms of shell), however, when kept at home, they rarely grow to such sizes. Females are much larger than males. The shell of juveniles is bright green, but as the turtle matures, it becomes brown or olive in color with patterns of bright yellow stripes.

The head, neck and paws of the animal are decorated with a series of white and black stripes. The species got its name due to the bright red spots near the eyes. These "ears" can also be rich orange or juicy. yellow flowers. It is thanks to its striking appearance that the red-eared turtle has become one of the most popular exotic pets.

Prefers to lead a sedentary lifestyle, but swims very quickly in the water, extremely curious. It can hiss and snort, expressing its displeasure and anxiety. Can inflict serious wounds in defense of one's life. sharp claws hind legs. In the cold season, such a phenomenon as suspended animation, or hibernation of red-eared turtles, occurs.

How long does the redwort live and where does it live?

This type of turtle can rightfully be considered a long-liver. Under favorable conditions, life expectancy is 40 years. An interesting fact is that the red-eared turtle has a high level of intelligence that is not characteristic of other reptiles. These animals are very sensitive to vibrations and their behavior can warn of an impending earthquake or storm. When choosing food, the red-eared turtle first focuses on the color, and only then on the smell and taste of the object.

These reptiles are widely distributed in nature. They can be found in natural environment in Central and South America, Israel, South Africa, Spain and even Great Britain. But in Australia, this species is officially recognized as a pest, as it destroys local endemics. Red-eared lives in shallow ponds and lakes, in other water bodies with marshy shores.

Keeping this exotic animal actually turns out to be much more difficult than it seemed at first. These turtles spend most of their time in the water, although they need land. For one adult, an aquaterrarium with a volume of 120-150 liters will be comfortable, while land should occupy no more than 25% of the total area. On an impromptu shore, special soil or gravel should be poured, while making a gentle rise. The tortoise shell must be completely submerged in the water so that the animal can easily roll over onto its back and back.

For this type of amphibian, the optimum temperature is 25-30 degrees Celsius. When the temperature drops to 20 degrees, hibernation can occur in red-eared turtles. The water in the aquarium is changed as needed, at least once a month. In order for the turtle to be healthy, it also needs to be provided with portioned irradiation with an ultraviolet lamp.

What to feed the redhead?

When living in captivity, shrimp or any other small crustaceans must be included in the diet of this species of turtles. The red-eared turtle will happily eat river snails, small pieces of fresh fish or meat, as well as bloodworms and earthworms. Turtles need to get enough calcium, otherwise shell diseases will begin. Poor appetite may indicate a disease. Hibernation in red-eared turtles is also preceded by a decrease in interest in food.

It is worth adding plant foods: duckweed, seaweed, lettuce, spinach, cabbage. Young individuals, due to the active growth of the body, need two daily feedings. Turtles over two years old should be fed no more than three times a week. With a monotonous diet, it is worthwhile to provide top dressing with special vitamins for turtles.

Hibernation of red-eared turtles

As mentioned above, this species of amphibians can fall into suspended animation - a state of reduced activity. Usually this period falls on the cold season and is a protective reaction of the animal's body to a decrease in temperature and a decrease in the amount of food available.

How does the red-eared turtle sleep at home? Given the optimal conditions for keeping an amphibian and the absence of the need to get their own food, homemade redworts may not fall into suspended animation at all. But since instincts can work at the subconscious level, then in winter time the turtle may be more lethargic, suffer from poor appetite.

If you notice this behavior in your pet, it is best to take it to the veterinarian as it may be caused by an illness. How long does a red-eared turtle sleep? Usually the suspended animation period lasts one to three months, but at home it can be much shorter.

Is hibernation artificially induced in red-eared turtles? Yes, you can deliberately enter the animal into a state of suspended animation. To do this, it is enough to lower the temperature and reduce the lighting in the aquarium. However, it is best to consult your veterinarian about the need for artificial hibernation before taking any action.

Turtles, like many animals on our planet, hibernate. So they adapt to survive in conditions of seasonal temperature drop. However, hibernation in mammals is associated with a lack of food, while turtles fall asleep when the first cold weather sets in. There are a number of other factors that affect the seasonality of life. This is the amount of food, and body size, and photoperiod, and reproductive activity, and, in the end, individual biorhythms. Individuals of the same species living in different climatic zones, of different sex and age, may differ from each other in periods of hibernation.

There are the following stages of hibernation in turtles:

1. With a decrease in temperature, there is a decrease in appetite in turtles.

2. Finding a warm nook that contains enough moisture (to prevent dehydration). But the lack of oxygen will not affect the health of reptiles, because they perfectly tolerate its lack.

3. During hibernation, the metabolism slows down and the body needs only a small amount of energy to meet its needs. The source of this energy is fat, which accumulates in the liver and fat bodies. A small amount of it is consumed during hibernation, but the bulk of the fat is very necessary in the spring, when the turtles wake up.

4. With an increase in temperature, the stage of awakening from hibernation begins. Many turtles hibernate underground, so photoperiodism doesn't matter in this case.

Thanks to hibernation, the sexual cycles in breeding turtles are synchronized. Weight loss in a healthy turtle of more than 10% of body weight is due to a decrease in fat and glycogen stores, as well as dehydration.

Tortoises such as Trionyx (Trionyx spp.) hibernate at the bottom of the reservoir. They are characterized by the so-called hibernation". Such reptiles breathe oxygen dissolved in water, receiving it through the skin.

BUT do turtles need living at home, hibernation?

A turtle living in a terrarium and receiving a sufficient amount of heat, moisture and ultraviolet radiation will not hibernate. This is the safest option for keeping an animal, because for the proper organization of wintering for reptiles, it is not enough to make every effort. It is also necessary to have experience that will help determine whether the turtle is ready for wintering. Therefore, if you are not going to use hibernation as a stimulation of sexual cycles, use the safer option - do not create hibernation conditions for the turtle.

What you need to know to properly organize hibernation for a turtle?

Bringing the turtle out of hibernation begins with a gradual increase in temperature. It should reach room temperature within 5 days. Then they turn on additional heating and bathe the turtle in warm water. After about a week, your pet will begin to eat. If the turtle refuses to eat, then something went wrong, and the animal needs to be treated urgently.

Instruction

Many people think that the turtle will come out on its own, but this is not true. The process of exiting hibernation is triggered by a gradual increase in temperature - this is the beginning of the warm season. To begin with, transfer to the room, it is better to do it in stages over three days. For example, first place the terrarium on a windowsill in a cool room, then find a warmer place, then bring it into a regular room and place it where the terrarium will always stand. After that, you can turn on the heating, gradually raising the temperature to 28-30 degrees for 3-4 days.

After waking up, the turtle is severely dehydrated, so it must be bathed in a warm bath. The water temperature should be around 32-33 degrees. You can add an ampoule of glucose to the bathing water, but do not use any shampoos or detergents, as the purpose of the bath is to eliminate dehydration, not to cleanse the turtle. For bathing turtles, it is best to use a small tray. Just put the animal there for about 20 minutes. Warm water will soften the skin, and the turtle will be able to freely drink as much as he wants, without putting any effort into it. If something is wrong with the turtle - it is clearly dehydrated (this is expressed in dry skin), emaciated (thinness is noticeable in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe paws and neck) or inactive, then it is necessary to continue a series of warm baths. They need to be done every day. Beware of drafts, because after a warm bath, the turtle can easily catch a cold, so after the procedure, immediately place the animal back in a warm terrarium.

After hibernation, the turtle is not only dehydrated, but also hungry, because all this period of time it has been kept on fat reserves. If everything is fine with the turtle, then it will begin to feed 5-7 days after being prompted. If suddenly she does not start to eat normally, consult a doctor immediately.

note

If hibernation is not mandatory for your species of turtle, it is better not to put it down, since it is very difficult to create the appropriate conditions in the apartment.

Useful advice

The turtle can wake up on its own during wintering, without a rise in temperature. In this case, gradually move it into the room (the process must be stretched for at least a day), then during the day raise the temperature to 28-30 degrees and take a few warm baths.

At first glance, the turtle seems to be one of the easiest pets to handle. But there are subtleties in caring for this creature that you need to know. For example, a turtle has the ability to hibernate for the winter. And after the first wintering, the owner of the turtle may have a question: how to wake her up now? And will she be all right when she wakes up? First of all, in order to be less worried about the successful awakening of the turtle, it must be correctly introduced into the hibernation state.

Instruction

If you keep it in a terrarium where it receives enough heat and light at any time of the year, you can not introduce it into it. She will survive the winter just fine without it. If your pet is indoors, there is a risk that she will hibernate without control and preparation, in some secluded corner. Wintering in conditions of low humidity, at room temperature, poses a threat to the health of the turtle.

To prepare for hibernation, the turtle needs to stop feeding (but not watering), and after another week, give it the last bath, and stop water procedures after that. After another week, the turtle can be put in a box lined with a thick layer of moss or peat for the winter. This layer during wintering should be periodically moistened. Gradually reduce the temperature to 6-10 ° C for two weeks. You can also cover the top of the sleeping turtle with dry leaves or hay. Do not forget to make ventilation holes in the lid of the box.

The wintering period depends on the age of the turtle. It is better not to leave young turtles in hibernation for longer than 4 weeks. Adults can spend up to 5 months in this state. Do not think that you can forget about the turtle during hibernation: be sure to control its condition. If the turtle shows signs of activity, hibernation should be stopped.

To bring a turtle out of hibernation, start slowly raising the temperature in its hiding place so that it reaches room temperature within five days. After that, you can turn on additional heating and bathe the turtle in warm water. After about a week, your pet should start eating and regain activity. If this does not happen, you need to contact your veterinarian.

note

Red-eared turtles do not need to hibernate. But they can respond to the change of seasons with a decrease in appetite and activity.

Useful advice

During hibernation, it is desirable to control the weight of the turtle. She should lose about 1% of her weight per month. If the weight loss approaches 10% - this is a sign of exhaustion, in which case the turtle must be taken out of hibernation.

Make sure that the temperature in the turtle's wintering area does not fall below 0°C! Otherwise, she may die from hypothermia. The optimum wintering temperature is 6-10 °C.

If you have a tortoise living in your home, you should be aware that in winter it needs to hibernate. Of course, in the conditions of Russian apartments, when it turns on central heating, it is not very easy to arrange suitable conditions for the turtle to winter. But if you strictly adhere to certain instructions and comply with the conditions of detention, your reptile will live much longer and be healthy and cheerful.

You will need

• turtle, terrarium with heating element, shelter house

Instruction

Firstly, the stories that the turtle may well do without wintering are a myth. Turtles need to fall into it once a year, otherwise they lose strength very quickly, become lethargic and very early. Normal Central Asian from November to March, which means that during these months your pet should be at rest and sleep somewhere in a cool dark place. The fact that the turtle does not fall asleep on its own is quite natural. After all, she is a cold-blooded creature and all her vital functions depend entirely on the temperature of the external environment. As long as the apartment is warm, she will stay awake.

To prepare the turtle for hibernation, organize special conditions for her with a lower temperature. If you keep an animal in a terrarium, with the onset of autumn, you need to slightly lower the temperature of the content so that the turtle can adapt more easily. Do not under any circumstances do this abruptly. Today it was warm, as usual, and tomorrow - 8 degrees and the lights off - this is unacceptable. Everything should be as similar as possible to the natural decrease in temperature in nature. Only in this way will your turtle have a smooth transition from wakefulness to sleep and there will be no additional stress.

note

If the winter temperatures are high, the turtle will wake up and come out of its hiding place. This is not very useful, since the rest of the organs and systems does not occur and the sleep pattern is disturbed. Try to control the temperature throughout the hibernation period.

Useful advice

During the winter, place the turtle in a small terrarium or shelter in a cool part of the house. Wintering temperature should be 5-8 degrees Celsius. It is best that this be the area adjacent to the balcony door or any other cold room. Avoid places close to the battery or heaters.

The turtle behaves actively at high air temperatures. Up to +40-+42 degrees, she feels comfortable, basking in the sun, sticking her head and paws out of her shell. With the onset of cooler weather, the turtle becomes lethargic, stops eating, and when the air temperature drops to -10 degrees, it burrows into sand or muddy soil and hibernates. But keeping turtles in captivity is different from living in the natural environment.

For a comfortable existence in a fairly spacious terrarium aquarium with clean water room temperature. The aquaterrarium should be equipped with a small island of land on which the turtle could climb. As a rule, in pet stores there are plastic "islands" with suction cups that are attached to the walls of the container.

To maintain the required water temperature in the aquarium, a thermostat is installed. Also, the turtle's home is equipped with a lamp to create a level of illumination and heat. The water in the aquarium should be changed at least once every two weeks. It should be warm and settled. The most suitable water temperature is + 25- + 28 degrees.

What to feed red-eared turtles

The diet of turtles is quite extensive. AT young age they can be fed mixtures of dried crustaceans purchased at the pet store (dried hemarus). Also, with pleasure, a resident of a home terrarium will eat earthworms, bloodworms, minced meat and beef liver.

In the diet of an adult turtle must be present "vegetarian dishes". Lettuce, leaves of carrot or beet tops, pieces of vegetables and fruits - these products are simply necessary for the turtle.

How to tell if a turtle is sick or hibernating

As a rule, turtles that are kept in apartments do not need long hibernation. With the onset of seasonal cold weather, in October-November, the inhabitant of the aquarium may slightly change her behavior. She loses her appetite, increases the duration of sleep. But she is unlikely to fall into hibernation, since the apartment is warm and light enough, and her own “house” is also additionally illuminated.

On the other hand, the turtle's behavior, which its owners regard as hibernation, can be a dangerous and sometimes fatal disease. Therefore, if the apartment is warm, and the turtle is sleeping and, it is worth sounding the alarm. The first step is to touch it: if the head and limbs are extended and do not respond to touch, it is likely that the pet has died. A live turtle, when it enters warm water, will certainly begin to move its paws and try to swim. Another surefire way to tell if a turtle is alive is to check the corneal reflex. If the eye does not respond to the touch of any object, then the turtle has died.

Hibernation is often confused with hibernation, a state that suppresses the vital activity of the body. Unlike anabiosis, hibernation is a natural process characterized by a more superficial suppression of general activity and internal processes.

Let's figure out how hibernation proceeds in red-eared turtles and by what signs it can be determined.

Aquatic turtles hibernate (winter) when too low temperatures falling below 15° and remaining at this level for a long time. The reptile goes underground and sleeps until the temperature rises in a dug hole.

IMPORTANT! Sea turtles and freshwater turtles usually burrow into sand or silt to hide from the ice that has formed. When living in warmer conditions, there is no need for wintering, but too heat can cause summer dormancy.

Red-eared turtles hibernate with the advent of winter and do not emerge from it until the beginning of spring. Their sleep lasts from 4 to 6 months and depends on the size of the reptile. The smaller the turtle, the more time it needs to sleep.

Features of hibernation of domestic turtles

Indoor red-eared turtles hibernate only on rare occasions. This condition is noted in single individuals or is achieved artificially due to manipulations by the owner.

Turtles hibernate at low temperatures, so comfortable keeping conditions with maintenance optimum temperature eliminate this need.
Due to reduction daylight hours in winter, reptiles sleep more than usual, but do not lose activity.

IMPORTANT! A wild turtle, brought into the house shortly before falling asleep, can fall into hibernation. In this case, the animal does not have time to adapt to new living conditions.

If you try to lull the turtle at home, you may encounter the following problems:

1. Humidity and temperature deviation. Too low values ​​can lead to the death of the pet.
2. Insect penetration. Intruders entering the wintering area can damage the sleeping turtle.
3. Deterioration. Hibernation takes a lot of resources from the body, so sick animals are at risk of complications.

hibernation signs

The state of wintering is often confused with death. To calm the soul, check the red-eared turtle for several points, allowing you to understand that it has definitely hibernated:

1. Jaws. Try to pull your lower jaw down and leave your mouth open. The reptile should try to close its jaws.
2. Eyes. A cold metal spoon leaning against the pet's eye should trigger the corneal reflex. If the turtle tries to retract the disturbed organ or opens its eyelids, then there is no reason for concern.
3. Reaction to heat. A red-eared turtle in hibernation, placed in a container of warm water (30 °), will begin to move with its paws.

Otherwise, signs of hibernation include:

1. Decreased activity. The pet behaves sluggishly, hides in the corner of the aquarium, keeping still, and refuses to leave his house for a walk.
2. poor appetite. In addition to losing activity, the reptile refuses to eat its favorite food and reduces the usual amount of food.
3. Increasing sleep duration. Long periods of rest are accompanied by frequent yawning.

Sleeping Turtle Care Instructions

When you find the first signs of an upcoming wintering in a red-eared turtle, be sure to consult a veterinarian who will examine it and tell you what to do if the reptile really hibernates.

During the winter, follow these recommendations:

1. Lower the water level. The turtle burrows into the ground, where it can sleep for a long time without rising to the surface. Obtaining oxygen is carried out by special membranes in the cloaca and oral cavity.
2. Turn off auxiliary lighting. The pet will have to go to the bottom to keep warm, so turn off the filtration and monitor the water level. Excess movement will destroy the thermal layer, and a low water level will lead to freezing to the very bottom.
3. Avoid feeding. Thanks to slow digestion, the turtle digests the food eaten the day before for several months.
4. Monitor your pet's health. Domestic turtles fall asleep already in November, when daylight hours are reduced, and sleep for about 4 months. It happens that the reptile does not wake up in February. In this case, you have to wake the pet yourself.

If the turtle looks active or February has come, then gradually increase the temperature and light to normal. The recovery period takes from 5 to 7 days.

You can feed your pet only after the return of the usual activity, but not earlier than the 5th day.

IMPORTANT! After wintering is over, take your pet to the veterinary clinic for examination. The doctor will determine possible complications and prescribe timely treatment if necessary.

The feasibility of artificial hibernation and preparation rules

The state of wintering has a positive effect on the reproductive system of reptiles, so experienced breeders involved in breeding send their pets to hibernation on their own.

IMPORTANT! With insufficient experience and the absence of a good reason, it is not recommended to introduce a turtle into a state of hibernation, since caring for it at home is very problematic.

Preparation for hibernation includes the following steps:

1. Increase the size of the diet 2 months before falling asleep. During wintering, turtles do not eat and lose almost half their weight. Without a layer of fat, reserve nutrients and vitamins the animal may die.
2. Cancellation of feeding 1 week before wintering. Additionally, the water level drops.
3. Smooth decrease in temperature within 10 days. Turtles show lethargy at temperatures below 15 °, and at temperatures below 10 ° they go into hibernation.
4. Gradual reduction of daylight hours over 10 days. Shorten lamp hours, turn off filters, and increase room humidity.
5. Bathe your reptile on the last day before hibernation. A bath of warm water will help you relax and empty your bowels.

IMPORTANT! Check the sleeping turtle every 3 days and spray the soil with water to keep it moist.

Remember that during hibernation it is prohibited:

• wake up and re-lay the pet;
• wake up the reptile before the increase in daylight hours;
• to carry out bathing, starting the process of urination when the shell comes into contact with water;
• continue sleep with a strong decrease in body weight (the animal loses over 10% within 1 month);
• allow long-term cooling below 0°.

In addition to the terrarium, you can use a special plastic container. Before using it, you must:

1. Fill with substrate (peat, sand, moss, sphagnum) for 10-30 cm, dry leaves or decorative pieces of bark. The selected container should be well ventilated, and the substrate should remain dry even at high humidity.
2. Refrigerate on a balcony, basement or refrigerator for several days.
3. Place in a cool but draft-free place at a temperature between 6° and 10°. It is not necessary to warm the place of hibernation, as this can provoke an early awakening and disorientation of the animal.

After waking up, the turtle is bathed in warm baths to restore its usual temperature and start internal processes.

IMPORTANT! If after wintering the reptile shows lethargy and looks emaciated, then consult a veterinarian to find out the cause of the symptoms.

How to avoid wintering?

To prevent the turtle from hibernating, make sure that there are optimal temperature conditions for keeping it:

1. Water. The temperature should be 22°-28°. Any decrease will lead to a decrease in activity and a gradual slowdown in internal processes.
2. Land. The island is used by turtles for heating, so the temperature here can reach up to 32 °.

The reason for hibernation can be a lack of vitamins. Make sure you have enough or get a vitamin shot at the veterinary clinic. This will prevent the turtle from hibernating due to lack of nutrients.

Due to the complexity of the process and high risks, it is not recommended to introduce a reptile into a state of hibernation. If in nature the process occurs naturally and its time is determined by biological rhythms, then at home the responsibility lies solely with the owner.

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