Hibernation in Turtles & Tortoises
Turtle & Tortoise Health Guides · Care
Turtle Hibernation and Tortoise Hibernation: Safe Timing, Checks and Waking Up
If you are reading about turtle hibernation, a veterinarian experienced with turtles and tortoises is the best first step. This guide explains what owners commonly see and what to do next. It does not diagnose or prescribe.
Turtle hibernation (also called brumation) is a natural winter rest for many species, such as Russian, Hermann’s, and Greek tortoises, box turtles, and some water turtles like painted turtles and sliders from cool climates. Other species, including sulcata, leopard, and red-footed tortoises, should not hibernate at all.
Tortoise hibernation is only safe for a healthy, well-fed animal kept at the right cool temperature. Most deaths during hibernation come from hibernating a sick or underweight turtle, temperatures that are too warm or too cold, or dehydration. If you are unsure, keep your turtle awake and warm through winter.
Important: Never hibernate a sick, underweight, or newly arrived turtle or tortoise. Temperatures below freezing can blind or kill a hibernating tortoise, and temperatures that are too warm use up its energy. A vet check before hibernation is strongly recommended.
Which Turtles and Tortoises Hibernate
Usually Hibernate
Russian, Hermann’s, Greek, and marginated tortoises, North American box turtles, and many temperate water turtles.
Should Not Hibernate
Sulcata, leopard, red-footed, and other tropical or desert species. They need warmth all year.
Young or Unsure
Hatchlings and turtles of unknown health are often kept awake, or hibernated only briefly, on a vet’s advice.
Getting Ready for Hibernation
Vet Health Check
A pre-hibernation check, often with a fecal test, finds problems that would be dangerous over winter.
Weigh and Record
Weigh in grams before hibernation and record it. Underweight turtles should not hibernate.
Empty the Gut
Stop feeding for a period before hibernation (often two to three weeks for tortoises) while keeping them warm and soaking them, so food does not rot in the gut.
Plan Safe Temperatures
Most hibernating tortoises are kept at about 41 to 46 °F (5 to 8 °C). A fridge or cool box with a thermometer is safer than a garage or shed.
During Hibernation and Waking Up
Weigh Regularly
Weigh about every one to two weeks. A tortoise losing more than about 1 percent of its body weight per month, or passing urine, should be woken up.
Watch the Temperature
Check the thermometer daily. Below freezing is dangerous; above about 50 °F (10 °C) uses up energy.
Waking Up
Warm gradually, soak daily, and offer food. A tortoise should drink within a day or two and eat within about a week. See dehydrated tortoise.
When To Call a Vet
Not eating within a week of waking, sunken eyes, swollen eyes, or weakness. See turtle not eating.
What To Do Tonight
Healthy and ready
Healthy weight, recent vet check, safe cool spot: hibernate with weekly weight and daily temperature checks.
Do not hibernate
Sick, underweight, new, or a non-hibernating species: keep warm and awake, and see a vet if unwell.
Related Turtle & Tortoise Health Guides
Also keep lizards or snakes?
Bearded dragons and some other lizards brumate too, but their timing and temperatures are different. If you also keep other reptiles, use the reptile guide for them.
Hibernation in Turtles & Tortoises FAQ
Do all turtles hibernate?
No. Many temperate species do, but tropical and desert species like sulcata, leopard, and red-footed tortoises should not.
How cold should a tortoise be during hibernation?
Most hibernating tortoises are kept at about 41 to 46 °F (5 to 8 °C). Below freezing is dangerous, and above about 50 °F (10 °C) uses up too much energy.
How long should a turtle hibernate?
It depends on species, age, and health, from a few weeks to a few months. Ask your vet what is safe for your turtle.
Can I hibernate a sick turtle?
No. Never hibernate a sick or underweight turtle. Keep it warm and awake and see a vet.
My tortoise will not eat after hibernation. What should I do?
Keep it warm, soak daily, and offer food. If it is not eating within about a week, or looks weak or sunken-eyed, see a vet.
Is this Hibernation in Turtles & Tortoises guide a substitute for a vet visit?
No. It is educational only. A veterinarian experienced with turtles and tortoises should guide diagnosis and any treatment.
Can I work out a medication dose from this page?
No. Never work out doses from product strengths or internet pages. Turtle and tortoise doses depend on the species, weight, temperature, and health of the individual animal, so they must come from your veterinarian.