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About Jeannie
Expertise
TORTOISE QUESTIONS ONLY. Questions regarding husbandry of Russian tortoises and other Mediterranean species; general tortoise care; box turtle care. If I can't answer a specific question, I can provide sources for further research.
PLEASE NOTE: I AM NOT EXPERIENCED WITH AQUATIC SPECIES (TURTLES). If you ask a question about red-eared sliders or other aquatic species, I won't be able to answer your question other than to give you general information or refer you to other sources.
Experience
I have kept and bred Russian tortoises for over ten years and have other Mediterranean species plus redfoots. Have kept box turtles in the past. I work with other tortoises species at a local rescue, mostly sulcata but some leopards, California desert tortoises, yellowfoots, and box turtles.
Education/Credentials
My knowledge is based on hands-on experience keeping, breeding, and working with tortoises.
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You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Exotic Pets > Turtles > painter turtle
Turtles - painter turtle
Expert: Jeannie - 11/2/2009
Question
My friend has a painter turtle in a very nice tank. She used to swim all of the time. Now she just hangs out on her rock. Do they hibernate in some way when the weather gets colder?
Answer
Hi Lisa,
Your friend has a painted turtle (Chrysemys picta). They do hibernate, but not inside--it would need to be quite cold for that to happen. Is the turtle showing any other symptoms? Not eating, lethargic, bubbles from the nose, "yawning" or gaping, stretching the neck out, etc.? Has she seen the turtle swim at all? Erratic swimming can indicate an upper respiratory infection, and if the turtle isn't swimming and the water/basking temperatures haven't changed, illness is the likely cause. Have her check her water temperature (should be about 78 degrees) and basking temperature (10-15 degrees higher than the water temp). If the temps check out, she should take her turtle to a good herp vet for an exam and treatment.
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