Naturally, the tortoise goes into hibernation in late autumn. This ends in spring due to higher temperatures again. If you keep turtles at home or in the garden, you should provide them with some leaves to overwinter.
Which foliage is suitable for hibernating turtles?
Beech leaves and oak leaves are particularly suitable for overwintering turtles, as they are rich in tannic acid and decompose more slowly. Foliage of maple, alder, ash, elm, birch, lime and fruit trees should be avoided as they rot quickly and provide less protection.
Do turtles need leaves to overwinter?
The foliage is used for overwintering by tortoises, but also by water turtles on the other hand, to avoid drying out. The leaves also prevent the soil in which the turtles overwinter from drying out.
Which types of foliage are suitable for turtles?
The most popular isBeech leavesfor overwintering turtles. ButOak Leaves has also proven itself and you can use it. The advantage of these types of leaves is that they contain a lot of tannic acid and therefore decompose much more slowly than other leaves such as: B. decompose the leaves of fruit trees.
Which foliage is less suitable for turtles?
Foliage thatrapidly rots (within a few weeks or months) is unsuitable for overwintering turtles. These include foliage from maple, alder, ash, elm, birch, linden and all kinds of fruit trees. Due to its rapid decomposition, it only provides the turtles with the protection they need for a limited period of time. If you use such foliage, you should therefore regularly replace it with new foliage.
How do you provide foliage to turtles?
The leaves are placed in the individual boxes oroverthesoil in them. First, you need a suitable wintering quarters for your turtles. If you choose small boxes, you should first fill them with soil. Then the leaves go in. You can also add some moss. The turtle can then be placed in the box at the right time. It will burrow under the leaves and a little into the ground.
What should you pay attention to when overwintering turtles in the foliage?
So that the turtles can fall into their torpor and remain there until spring, it is important to keep the temperatureconstantly low between 4 and 6 °C. Unlike some other animals that hibernate, turtles need this temperature to remain hibernating. You can offer them this in the greenhouse, cold frame, cellar or even in a refrigerator. Alternatively, you can build a wintering pit. To do this, a hole is dug in the garden soil.
Can turtles survive without overwintering in the foliage?
Without overwintering, the turtles run the risk ofgetting sick They gain weight because they eat and their natural rhythm is interrupted. If you leave out the foliage, there is a risk that the animals will dry out during their winter torpor. Winter storage is therefore definitely recommended.
Tip
Ensure good ventilation
Ensure good ventilation in the turtles' wintering quarters. This is extremely important to prevent the leaves and soil from becoming moldy.
