Hibernation of red-bellied turtles. What do I need to know?

If you are going to put your pet into hibernation at home and find out how red-eared turtles sleep, then you must know that they should not have any illnesses, and preparation for hibernation in moral and physical terms is of great importance. After you enter the turtle in the right state, you will have to constantly maintain a certain temperature and humidity regime. If you neglect at least one item, the pet can remain in hibernation forever.

However, as elsewhere, as in hibernation, there are advantages. She is an excellent assistant in maintaining the activity of the thyroid gland, which in turn significantly increases the life of the turtle. It synchronizes sexual activity in males and follicular growth in females. It helps in maintaining the hormonal status at a normal level and blocks excessive growth.

In order to hibernation turtle was started painlessly and correctly, you need to know some of the subtleties of this process:

1. Before the hibernation of the red-bellied turtles begins, at the beginning of winter or the end of autumn, it is necessary to properly feed the turtle so that the amount of its fat is sufficient to feed throughout the entire sleep. She should drink no less than she is.

2. You need to be completely sure that the turtle's health is at the proper level. In order to check this, it is enough to consult a veterinarian, but in no case should you give top-dressing and various vitamins before the very beginning of wintering, as this may end badly.

3. Two to three weeks before the winter, the turtle needs to stop feeding, this is done so that all the food it has eaten is completely digested. For small individuals, this period is slightly less, one or two weeks.

4. About ten days before the hibernation of red-bellied turtles is scheduled, it is necessary to begin to reduce the temperature of the terrarium to about 10-12 degrees Celsius, reduce the duration of its light day and increase the humidity level to the mark that is necessary in the cooling period. In order for the turtle not to catch a cold, it is necessary to lower the temperature level as smoothly as possible.

5. The location to be chosen for wintering should have an approximate temperature of 7-12 ° C, the ideal option would be 8 degrees, it should also not allow light and have excellent ventilation. It can be a box filled with peat or moss for a thickness of 30 centimeters. Peat should be covered with hay or dry leaves. The main thing is that the substrate, in which the turtle spends the winter, is wet, but it should not be allowed to get wet.

6. If the red-bellied turtle does not open the eyes, then hibernation has begun and will last approximately 10 to 12 weeks. The maximum period of hibernation can reach up to 4 months.

7. In order for the hibernation of the red-bellied turtles to pass properly, it is necessary to check its condition.

8. In the event that, at a temperature of 10-11 ° C, the turtle begins to move and show general activity, it is necessary to stop the hibernation.

9. In order for the turtle to come out of hibernation correctly, it is necessary to begin a smooth rise in temperature, bringing it to its normal level for a week, after which to bathe the turtle in slightly warmed water.

In the event that you do not want your four-legged pet to go into hibernation, you need to work a little. You need to raise the temperature in the terrarium to a level of 28 degrees and bathe your turtle, as often as possible. It may happen that she will refuse food, in this case the best option will be going to the vet, as he will make a vitamin prick that stabilizes her.

If you have a red-bellied turtle, then this article will help you to deal with it properly during the hibernation period.