The Box Turtles Are Starting To Emerge! :)

[Mmathis]

This is always an anxious time of year for me -- the boxies go into brumation [think "hibernation"] usually some time in November and I have to wait until spring to know if they're OK. And this year, while they were asleep, I completely remodeled their habitat! Now, instead of sharing a section of the pond, they have their own private and personal TURTLE BOG!!

Well, 2 of my babies have made appearances so far, and they're apparently not having any trouble finding their new bog! They look healthy!

First picture is "Draco." Second picture is "X-Tra."

And now that they're starting to emerge, we are going to have several days of colder weather -- go figure!

 

[JBtheExplorer]

I completely remodeled their habitat! Now, instead of sharing a section of the pond, they have their own private and personal TURTLE BOG!!

Off the top of my head, I can't remember if you shared the project, but judging by the photo it looks awesome!

 

[Mmathis]

Off the top of my head, I can't remember if you shared the project, but judging by the photo it looks awesome!

You know, I don't remember if I shared yet or not. Somewhere I have the pics, but am thinking that I was going to hold everything until the finale. The new "turtle bog" isn't 100% complete -- I was trying to get as much done as possible so the turts would have a functional place at least to start off the season. It's done except that it's not connected to the pond yet -- still have some pond work to do before I can finish that part. So for now, what I'm doing is filling it via the PVC manifold from the faucet and letting the water overflow a little. At least that keeps it from being totally stagnate.

Will look for those pics.

 

[talal101]

They are so adorable! we do have a native species of turtle here but they are VERY rare and hard to find....not to mention illegal to take and unfortunately the only species that would survive.

 

[Tula]

So reassuring to see them after the winter

 

[Fishylove]

Mmathis, how do turtles hibernate? I had a little slider in the big pond, but I couldn't catch him before winter set in so I put clay and leaves mixed in a small bucket on the bottom of the pond in hopes it would use it. My understanding water turtles bury themselves in the muck on the bottom and hibernate?
Unfortunately I found him dead (along with 8 bull frogs so far )
This winter kept the pond frozen over for weeks, I surmise this was the reason for the frog deaths. But what about the turtle?

 

[Mmathis]

Mmathis, how do turtles hibernate? I had a little slider in the big pond, but I couldn't catch him before winter set in so I put clay and leaves mixed in a small bucket on the bottom of the pond in hopes it would use it. My understanding water turtles bury themselves in the muck on the bottom and hibernate?
Unfortunately I found him dead (along with 8 bull frogs so far )
This winter kept the pond frozen over for weeks, I surmise this was the reason for the frog deaths. But what about the turtle?

Oh, I'm sorry to hear about your slider! I don't know much about aquatic turtles. Box turtles will dig into the ground or into a pile of leaves -- I've observed that they seem to like being "confined," so will usually choose a place, like under a log. I guess how deep they go depends on how cold the ground gets. They don't actually hibernate (animals that hibernate go into a deep sleep). It's called brumate. Their systems just slow down, but they are conscious.

 

[Fishylove]

Like our fish do sorta, kinda lol