Turtles for the winter in the fridge

Pets for winter starvation in the fridge: turtles for the winter in the fridge

09/22/2013

Owners of tortoises should currently think about the wintering of their pets. A fridge and a scale are very helpful. But it must not be forgotten to open the door of the winter quarters regularly.

Prepare for winter rest
Owners of tortoises should prepare their animals for hibernation at the beginning of the cold season. For this, the light and temperature in the terrarium should be turned down slowly over three weeks and the animal should no longer be fed. However, the turtle may continue to receive water.

Wintering box is recommended
If the pet is stalwart, it should ideally be placed in a wintering box filled with soil and a mixture of beech leaves and moss. The box should be about four times as large as the tank surface, so that the animal has enough space. It must also be ensured that enough air enters the box, so it does not mold, said the Federal Veterinary Association (BTK) in Berlin.

Turtle in the fridge
The box should be stored in a dark place at a constant four to six degrees, such as in a refrigerator. Especially if it is a separate device that is only used for hibernation, the owner should be careful to open the refrigerator door once or twice a week for the turtle to get enough oxygen.

Weigh reptile regularly
The BTK advises further to remove the animal from the quarters and weigh every four weeks. Throughout the winter, the reptile should not lose more than ten percent of its body weight. If one discovers a reddish discoloration on the belly armor, one should go with the animal to the doctor, since this could point to a sepsis.

Three to five months break
According to BTK, it would be less advisable to dig in the turtle in the garden or outdoor enclosure, because it could easily penetrate frost in the wintering quarters and drive the reptile from its shelter. As a rule, the resting time of tortoises takes three to five months, in very young animals, however, only six to eight weeks. When hibernation is finished, the owner should slowly raise the temperature around the turtle. (Ad)

Picture: Gila Hanssen