Habitat - Outdoor :: Winter Time for Pond Turtles

[TKOKelley]

I live in South Central Texas and it is warm 85% of the time. My questions is that I have a RES named Ceasar living in my 95 Gallon outdoor pond. Should I bring him inside for the winter? In Texas our temperatures change drastically from night to day so I am wondering if Ceasar can handle it like my goldfish can? Any suggestions would be very helpful.

[marisa]

Welcome. Ninety-five gallons is quite small for a pond, and its small size would reflect those drastic temp changes. How deep is it? Is there substrate in the bottom (they bury themselves in mud and leaves to hibernate).

How big is Ceasar? Is he healthy?

Given the small size and the temp extremes, I'd bring him in for the winter.

[jozzep]

As long as the pond doesn't freeze, the turtle should be ok.If freezing conditions then i agree with marisa and take them indoors cause the pond seems very small.

[turtletex]

The smaller the pond the better chance it has of freezing. South texas is warmer then north texas but i would still worry. Circulation in the pond will help alot, such as flowing water. But texas weather is still unpredictable, so i would consider a indoor tank for the winter. Depth also, i would think you need atleast 18inches to keep it from freezing. What size is your res?

[TKOKelley]

Well Ceasar is about 3 inches right now and he is a rescue. He was kept for two years in a small plastic habitat half the size of a shoe box so right now he is the happiest lil turtle on the earth! I understood that he wasn't cared for very well he originally belonged to some young kids that kept dumping beer and cigarette ashes into his lil habitat. But we took him home washed him off and he is basking everyday and enjoying his new found freedom in our 95 gallon small pond. It is about 2 feet deep in the center. We do successfully keep our goldfish in there year round but we do have to bring in our placos so I am wondering about what to do for Ceasar? He is very happy and healthy in this tank so far and his shell is about the size of a 50 cent piece. I am wondering if his growth was stunted due to the first living conditions??

[jozzep]

Just to be precise......Is he 3" or the size of a 50 cent piece?Cause a 50 cent piece is not 3".Plus hard to tell his growth unless you know the day he hatched.If he's around a year old (and about 3") i would say he's average size.

[xstefanx]

Well Ceasar is about 3 inches right now and he is a rescue. He was kept for two years in a small plastic habitat half the size of a shoe box

3 inches for 2 years does seem small. I'm honestly surprised he was able to live through the past conditions for 2 years...

[TKOKelley]

From what I know he is over 2 years old and to be more precise he is 3 inches right now, so he is bigger than a 50 cent piece. He has already grown some since we put him in the pond. Sometimes I cannot even find him in the pond. Does he sleep underwater? If so how does he breathe while sleeping?
I have been doing some research and I think he might be a she. The claws are short and I think that might indicate the turtle is female. Is this so?? I may need to rethink Ceasar's namesake.
If the turtle can get out of the pond will they escape? Or will they stay close to the water? So far he hasn't left the pond habitat but should I be concerned about him leaving the area and getting dried up somewhere? Any suggestions would be helpful.

[xstefanx]

As far as gender, the males claws normally don't grow longer until around 4 inches, so give it some time, might still be a male. Are you sure that the previous owners had him for 2 years? Or for that matter that it is a RES? 3 inches for a RES over 2 years old seems incredibly small. You said that it he gotten out of the pond yet? Does he have an area to get out and dry off and bask? As far as leaving the pond, I would assume he might explore and try to find other places to live even, but I don't have any experience with out door habitats

[TKOKelley]

Yes we had it fixed up pretty nice for him but he is MIA. I am worried a predator may have taken him. Very sad we were getting very attached, and he seemed very happy to be there in that little pond. Every day I would watch him out of my window and he would bask in the sunlight. It was so adorable. We have alot of wildlife around such as cats, squirrels and birds. I wish he would come back. If he is out of the water for too long will he dry up or get sick? The way we had the pond it would have been difficult for him to climb out so I really think something took him from us. Who knows? There is no evidence of any struggle, he is just gone and he was just eating dinner in his pond yesterday evening was the last I saw him....

[TKOKelley]

I have looked everywhere for him
Sad

[marisa]

Do you have any plants in the pond he could be hiding in? Since it's so small, though, it would be relatively easy for something to get at him.

I hope he turns up.