Should turtles be kept in water in winter?

Turtles also need to be placed in water in winter. Most turtles cannot grow without water. If they are dehydrated for too long, they will die. Even hibernating turtles must change the water and spray water regularly. Some owners are afraid that the turtle will freeze if it stays in the water in winter, so they put it in a container without water to keep it warm. This approach is wrong.

Generally in winter, in order to ensure the health of the turtle, you must pay attention to the temperature. Low temperature will affect its appetite. Feeding can be done once a week, or more often if the indoor temperature is suitable. If it is raised at room temperature, it can also hibernate. Hibernation usually lasts for several months. In order for it to survive the hibernation period, it is necessary to supplement some nutrients in advance. Stop feeding two weeks before hibernation, and soak it in warm water to promote defecation. Then cool down and moisturize, allowing it to sleep through the winter.

As a long-lived and easy-to-keep pet, turtles are loved by many pet lovers. However, when the cold winter comes, how to properly care for tortoises and ensure that they survive the season safely has become a concern for many owners. Among them, the choice of water culture or dry culture has become the focus of discussion. This article will discuss how to care for tortoises in the winter to help owners make informed decisions.
First, we need to understand the physiological changes of turtles in winter. As temperatures drop, turtles’ metabolism will gradually slow down and they will enter a state similar to hibernation. During this period, the turtle’s activity level decreases and its appetite also decreases. Therefore, the focus of winter maintenance is to provide the turtle with a quiet, stable environment with a suitable temperature.

Water culture and dry culture each have their own advantages and disadvantages and are suitable for different situations. Keeping in water can maintain the humidity of the turtle’s living environment, which helps the turtle breathe and keep its skin moist. However, the water temperature is low in winter, and if not properly controlled, it can easily cause the turtle to catch cold or even die. Therefore, owners who choose to breed in water need to ensure that the water temperature is constant within a suitable range. It is usually recommended to use equipment such as heating rods to maintain the water temperature.
In contrast, dry raising prevents turtles from being immersed in cold water for long periods of time and reduces risks caused by fluctuations in water temperature. But dry maintenance can also cause dehydration and dry skin in your turtle. To solve this problem, owners need to spray water or bathe the turtle regularly to keep its body moist. In addition, the dry environment also needs to maintain a certain temperature and humidity to prevent the turtle from getting cold and dehydrated.
When choosing between water and dry breeding, owners need to make comprehensive considerations based on their actual situation and the breed, age and other factors of the turtle. For example, some semi-aquatic turtles are better suited to dry keeping during the winter, while some more aquatic turtles may require water keeping. At the same time, owners also need to pay attention to the health of the turtle and adjust maintenance methods in time to deal with possible problems.

In addition to choosing the appropriate maintenance method, owners also need to pay attention to the following points in winter: first, reduce the amount of feeding to adapt to the turtle’s slowed metabolism; second, check the physical condition of the turtle regularly, and deal with it in time if any abnormalities are found; third, Avoid disturbing your tortoise frequently and allow them to spend the winter in a quiet environment.
In short, caring for turtles in winter is a process that requires care and patience. Owners need to choose the appropriate water or dry breeding method based on the actual needs of the turtle and their own conditions, and ensure a stable, warm and humid environment. With proper care and attention, we can help our tortoises survive the cold winter months safely and enjoy their company.