Habitat - Outdoor :: Anyone live in Michigan

[ilcapo21]

I got a question does anyone live in Michigan and have an outdoor pond for their turtles? I am thinking of making one im just wondering about the night temps and if anyone does have an outdoor pond in MIchigan.

[TheComputerGremlin]

Well, I'm not in Michigan, but an outdoor pond could take some extra work where it gets colder. Would you be planning on leaving the turtle out during the fall/winter/spring too, or just in the summer? Also remember that outdoor ponds, you have to worry about predators grabbing your turtle. I know some people put their turtles out during the day and bring them in in the evenings ...

[ilcapo21]

i was thinking just in the warm spring and summer also overnight but not in the fall or winter im just worried about overnight temps>

[donchewliano]

maybe you could use a pond heater to keep temps regulated during the night hours.

[Terryo]

I live in NY and have just put mine outside now. I leave them outside all summer, and bring them in as soon as the fall comes. I never let them hibernate outside as I would be too nervous. I have friends who leave them outside, and their's are already awake from hibernation now.

[ilcapo21]

I was thinking they would be ok in the night it gets in the 50s and 60s in the summer here in michigan overnight. Im thinking i will use a water heater for them in the summer at night. Im just worried about air temp i dont want htem gettin respritory infections from the cool air at night. I think it will be ok though. Thanks for the input guys

[ilcapo21]

TerryO how cold does it get at night in NY?

[Terryo]

.I had to bring them in last week as the weather turned and went down to the 40's. They aren't used to this cool tem. Right now it is 57 and tonight it is going down to the low 40's. Next week it is going to be in the high 60's during the day and low 50's at night. It is going to rain all week. They are still inside. This weather is crazy. We always planted our veggies on the day after Mother's day. It is so sporadic now, I don't know when I will put them out again. Now I have three big filters running.....can't wait for my electric bill.

[ilcapo21]

Lol. Sorry i hope your bill is manageable. So i dug a hole for my preformed liner in the corner of my lot, set the liner and filled it all in around it. I havent filled it with water yet, and im glad, i have no way of getting power out there. isnt funny how when u get excited you dont think things thru but when some thing is boring its hard to get motivated. So now i am going to remove some bushes next to the patio and dig a new hole an put the pond right next to the patio and the sliding door. its a better spot any how so im excited about that. im not excited to dig that hole again thou.

[industrial_girl_2000]

I was thinking they would be ok in the night it gets in the 50s and 60s in the summer here in michigan overnight. Im thinking i will use a water heater for them in the summer at night. Im just worried about air temp i dont want htem gettin respritory infections from the cool air at night. I think it will be ok though. Thanks for the input guys

I live in Michigan but I don't have Sheba in a pond outdoors.

If you have your turtle in a pond during the months of June thru August, I think that will be ok, even with the evening drops in temperature.

The important thing to note is that RES's originally come from the mud-flat areas in Mississippi where it is extremely hot/humid in the summer time (but night time can cool down a bit, but it is still very humid). If you keep your turtle outdoors, do it only in the hottest summer months of Michigan & you should be ok. A pond heater can help keep the water temp. from getting too cold at night.

FYI - turtle pneumonia is caused by water temps going up/down, not so much by air temperature. As long as the water temp stays around 74-76, an RES will be very comfortable.

[ilcapo21]

Thank you that was very helpful. Im going to get a pond heater i think. Im only planning on leaving them out there the hottest months. I thought they would be ok i just was afraid to take the chance.

THanks again it was greatly appreciated