For turtles, hibernation is a defense mechanism that allows them to survive the seasonal cold snap. Many species of turtles (mostly aquatic) do not need it at all, but for others it is vital to establish biorhythms. Taking the turtle out of hibernation is a responsible matter, since the animal is weakened, since it existed for several months without water and food.
It is necessary
- Terrarium or small aquarium;
- Terrarium heater;
- Bath tray.
Instructions
Step 1
Many people believe that the turtle will wake up from hibernation on its own, but this is not the case. The process of coming out of hibernation is triggered by a gradual increase in temperature - this symbolizes the beginning of the warm season. To begin with, move the turtle to the room, it is better to do this in stages over three days. For example, first place the turtle 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 increasing the temperature to 28-30 degrees over 3-4 days.
Step 2
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. It is best to use a small tray for bathing your turtle. Just place 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 it wants without any effort. 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 the legs and neck) or inactive, then it is necessary to continue the series of warm baths. You need to do them every day. Beware of drafts, as after a warm bath the turtle can easily catch a cold, so after the procedure, immediately place the animal back in the warm terrarium.
Step 3
After hibernation, the turtle is not only dehydrated, but also hungry, because for this entire period of time it was kept on fat reserves. If all is well with the turtle, it will start feeding 5-7 days after prompting. If suddenly she does not start to eat normally, immediately consult a doctor.
