Brumation Onset

TurtzInMyYard

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Joined
Aug 21, 2021
Messages
97
Location (City and/or State)
AL
I'm seeing less and less of my turtz in the yard. Over the last week and a half, I noticed a decline in their activity. Earlier this spring, there have been up to four of them in close proximity, foraging for snails and worms, and of course, hoping to find a slice of cantaloupe, watermelon or apple. As summer encroached and things began heating up, they came out in early morning. I was able to watch 'Drip' creeping on her belly, and she was snatching tiny snails from blades of grass, heavy with dew. It was almost a sure bet to see at least three turtles every morning, in various places around the yard. But, with the sun also creeping higher in the sky, the turtles would disappear to their cool burrows. Some ventured toward the magnolia grove in my backyard. The broad and 'shell-like' leaves provide a carpet under the deep shade of the trees. They travel through a twenty foot magnolia forest, leaving my yard, and from there it is deep hardwood forest. I don't know if they burrow under the magnolia leaves or if they have homes deeper into the woods. I lose sight of them before they get through the magnolias. Then as the sun slips lower into the horizon, they slip out from their burrows to forage again. They sleep ALL day. Now and then you might see a 'stray' that's doing something 'weird' that none of the others are doing, but I had no idea turtles could rest so much. They must have been born tired.

Those leaves are perfectly suited to their already amazing camouflage. I'm embarrassed the number of times I've been fooled, running to the fridge to grab an apple wedge to offer it to a......leaf. So disappointing. Leaves, dressed up like turtles. Not cool.

Anyway -- having nine backyard, free range turtles roaming about has been a bit of an unexpected, and surprisingly pleasant adventure. I'm going to miss seeing them as they go into brumation. I haven't seen Drip, now, in three days. Not even when it comes a good turtle rain. That's really unusual. T-Rex fell off on his visits too. When he did show up, you could tell he was just cruising through, to see if there were any last minute females to be had. He didn't linger more than a few minutes before heading off through the magnolias again. Normally, he would hang around a bit. He showed up yesterday to my surprise, as I had not seen any turtle in two or three days. He didn't seem to be in a big hurry, as before and even hung around to accept an apple wedge from me. He's a strange one. After he takes the apple from my hand, he will eat half of it, go hide under the hostas and he just hangs out.

I'm about to say something here which truly may prove I DO belong with those folks over at the NUTHOUSE. I think T-Rex takes part of that apple for himself, and uses the rest of it as 'bait'....I'm being serious... "Bait for what?", you might ask. I'm glad you did. Cuz', I'mma tell you. All of these turtles have met. But, T-Rex did not show up to this party until mid to late August. He's the new kid on the block. I've never seen him before....until the day...I saw him mating with 'Drop'. Sexes of both confirmed. I have seen him run off, and when I say, run off, I mean literally give chase to one of the turtles in my herd. I believe it is the one with the amputated right front foot. I do not know the sex of that turtle. I now wonder if that one is a male. It was reluctant to stay and with some speed, for a turtle I refuse to call 'Stumpy', urgently fled the scene into the woods. T-Rex followed just as urgently with his head at full extension to rival his legs. He was NOT crawling on his belly -- he was in full strut. It was impossible for me -- not to laugh, even if it was at poor Stumpy's expense.

I have witnessed T-Rex 'bait' on at least two other occasions, with success. These gladiator encounters occur in the foraging coliseum, underneath the black oil seed, squirrel proof bird feeder. There is a carpet of sunflower seeds that exceeds ten feet in its diameter. When it rains, just look out the window, and it is for certain you will see at least 25 new turtles emerging from the magnolia grove, headed to the coliseum to feed on worms that are rising to the surface, and snails feeding on small pieces of left over apple. But, then as you're looking through the binoculars, you realize, none of those turtles are actually moving. Fooled, yet once more.

But, then here they come. One by one, stealthily approaching 'the zone'. Surveying and looking carefully for any creature, so as to avoid it, and avoid being seen, if possible...unless it's a friend. Not all these turtles love each other...and some will even leave if they don't like 'the feel' of it. T-Rex has learned all of this. He knows it is a place of turtle action. I believe he eats what he wants of his apple and uses the rest as bait to see 'who' might show up. If it's that pirate turtle with a missing foot -- yep, he will be outta there for sure.

I guess T-Rex has established himself as THE dominant male. But...as I say...I do not know how many male turtles I have in my herd -- T-Rex may be the only one. I only saw two turtles yesterday. Drop and T-Rex. Although, they showed up at different times and never met up. Still-- T-Rex was hopeful as he waited underneath the hosta, keeping an eye on his apple.

I woke up to a turtle rain this morning, looked outside and saw Drop out there. She was alone and foraging. No sign of anybody else. I fed her an apple wedge and as usual she is excited when she sees it -- reluctant as she is to accept it. She has an unusual shell in that there are a couple of places on her shell with tiny rises on the surface, rather like ostrich skin boots. It's interesting how different her behavior is. When she initially sees me, her first inclination is to run for cover and if none is immediately available to her, she just opts to run...away. She appears to be more avoidant, than other members of the group. She's the ONLY one who accepts the apple from my hand and then CARRIES the apple to a place a bit more private and closer to cover. Once, I cut the apple wedge to weigh twice as much as the norm. I couldn't help but laugh in amusement. As she bit into it, I let go of it and the apple and her head experienced an immediate thud as the apple hit the ground. She didn't miss a beat. She picked that apple up, took a step and promptly tripped over it. She tried again. She actually was able to make about three steps with the apple still in her mouth. Unfortunately for her, after those three steps, she could only push the apple along instead of carry it. She was satisfied with that, except only a moment later, she pushed it into a rock and could go no further out of sight with it. She decided she wanted to eat it and so did not leave it for any other turtle who was bound to come along.

For most of them, I do not hang around after they have accepted the apple wedge. I leave them in peace to feel secure and enjoy their treasure. There is only one who really seems to have no fear of me and sometimes I do hang around and talk to her. She seems to be content to eat her goodies even though I am just inches from her. But, true to their natures, without fail, she takes pause and 'checks' me to see if I have moved or if there be another threat lurking. I have found squatting to be of particular advantage in calming what ever uneasiness they have. Even Drop will stop heading for an exit when I make myself smaller.

Their visits are becoming more infrequent and there are at least three that I have not seen in more than two weeks. I read someplace they will re-emerge again when temperatures consistently stay about 55-60 degrees F, or about there. Anyone else have backyard free-rangers in the deep south? If so, about when do yours begin to prepare for Brumation? I don't expect I've seen the last of them quite yet. We will have warm temps again, even though we have experienced a 'slight' cooling off. Is it correct that brumation is somewhere around Oct-Nov? Cheers!
 

Maro2Bear

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May 29, 2014
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14,722
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Glenn Dale, Maryland, USA
I'm seeing less and less of my turtz in the yard. Over the last week and a half, I noticed a decline in their activity. Earlier this spring, there have been up to four of them in close proximity, foraging for snails and worms, and of course, hoping to find a slice of cantaloupe, watermelon or apple. As summer encroached and things began heating up, they came out in early morning. I was able to watch 'Drip' creeping on her belly, and she was snatching tiny snails from blades of grass, heavy with dew. It was almost a sure bet to see at least three turtles every morning, in various places around the yard. But, with the sun also creeping higher in the sky, the turtles would disappear to their cool burrows. Some ventured toward the magnolia grove in my backyard. The broad and 'shell-like' leaves provide a carpet under the deep shade of the trees. They travel through a twenty foot magnolia forest, leaving my yard, and from there it is deep hardwood forest. I don't know if they burrow under the magnolia leaves or if they have homes deeper into the woods. I lose sight of them before they get through the magnolias. Then as the sun slips lower into the horizon, they slip out from their burrows to forage again. They sleep ALL day. Now and then you might see a 'stray' that's doing something 'weird' that none of the others are doing, but I had no idea turtles could rest so much. They must have been born tired.

Those leaves are perfectly suited to their already amazing camouflage. I'm embarrassed the number of times I've been fooled, running to the fridge to grab an apple wedge to offer it to a......leaf. So disappointing. Leaves, dressed up like turtles. Not cool.

Anyway -- having nine backyard, free range turtles roaming about has been a bit of an unexpected, and surprisingly pleasant adventure. I'm going to miss seeing them as they go into brumation. I haven't seen Drip, now, in three days. Not even when it comes a good turtle rain. That's really unusual. T-Rex fell off on his visits too. When he did show up, you could tell he was just cruising through, to see if there were any last minute females to be had. He didn't linger more than a few minutes before heading off through the magnolias again. Normally, he would hang around a bit. He showed up yesterday to my surprise, as I had not seen any turtle in two or three days. He didn't seem to be in a big hurry, as before and even hung around to accept an apple wedge from me. He's a strange one. After he takes the apple from my hand, he will eat half of it, go hide under the hostas and he just hangs out.

I'm about to say something here which truly may prove I DO belong with those folks over at the NUTHOUSE. I think T-Rex takes part of that apple for himself, and uses the rest of it as 'bait'....I'm being serious... "Bait for what?", you might ask. I'm glad you did. Cuz', I'mma tell you. All of these turtles have met. But, T-Rex did not show up to this party until mid to late August. He's the new kid on the block. I've never seen him before....until the day...I saw him mating with 'Drop'. Sexes of both confirmed. I have seen him run off, and when I say, run off, I mean literally give chase to one of the turtles in my herd. I believe it is the one with the amputated right front foot. I do not know the sex of that turtle. I now wonder if that one is a male. It was reluctant to stay and with some speed, for a turtle I refuse to call 'Stumpy', urgently fled the scene into the woods. T-Rex followed just as urgently with his head at full extension to rival his legs. He was NOT crawling on his belly -- he was in full strut. It was impossible for me -- not to laugh, even if it was at poor Stumpy's expense.

I have witnessed T-Rex 'bait' on at least two other occasions, with success. These gladiator encounters occur in the foraging coliseum, underneath the black oil seed, squirrel proof bird feeder. There is a carpet of sunflower seeds that exceeds ten feet in its diameter. When it rains, just look out the window, and it is for certain you will see at least 25 new turtles emerging from the magnolia grove, headed to the coliseum to feed on worms that are rising to the surface, and snails feeding on small pieces of left over apple. But, then as you're looking through the binoculars, you realize, none of those turtles are actually moving. Fooled, yet once more.

But, then here they come. One by one, stealthily approaching 'the zone'. Surveying and looking carefully for any creature, so as to avoid it, and avoid being seen, if possible...unless it's a friend. Not all these turtles love each other...and some will even leave if they don't like 'the feel' of it. T-Rex has learned all of this. He knows it is a place of turtle action. I believe he eats what he wants of his apple and uses the rest as bait to see 'who' might show up. If it's that pirate turtle with a missing foot -- yep, he will be outta there for sure.

I guess T-Rex has established himself as THE dominant male. But...as I say...I do not know how many male turtles I have in my herd -- T-Rex may be the only one. I only saw two turtles yesterday. Drop and T-Rex. Although, they showed up at different times and never met up. Still-- T-Rex was hopeful as he waited underneath the hosta, keeping an eye on his apple.

I woke up to a turtle rain this morning, looked outside and saw Drop out there. She was alone and foraging. No sign of anybody else. I fed her an apple wedge and as usual she is excited when she sees it -- reluctant as she is to accept it. She has an unusual shell in that there are a couple of places on her shell with tiny rises on the surface, rather like ostrich skin boots. It's interesting how different her behavior is. When she initially sees me, her first inclination is to run for cover and if none is immediately available to her, she just opts to run...away. She appears to be more avoidant, than other members of the group. She's the ONLY one who accepts the apple from my hand and then CARRIES the apple to a place a bit more private and closer to cover. Once, I cut the apple wedge to weigh twice as much as the norm. I couldn't help but laugh in amusement. As she bit into it, I let go of it and the apple and her head experienced an immediate thud as the apple hit the ground. She didn't miss a beat. She picked that apple up, took a step and promptly tripped over it. She tried again. She actually was able to make about three steps with the apple still in her mouth. Unfortunately for her, after those three steps, she could only push the apple along instead of carry it. She was satisfied with that, except only a moment later, she pushed it into a rock and could go no further out of sight with it. She decided she wanted to eat it and so did not leave it for any other turtle who was bound to come along.

For most of them, I do not hang around after they have accepted the apple wedge. I leave them in peace to feel secure and enjoy their treasure. There is only one who really seems to have no fear of me and sometimes I do hang around and talk to her. She seems to be content to eat her goodies even though I am just inches from her. But, true to their natures, without fail, she takes pause and 'checks' me to see if I have moved or if there be another threat lurking. I have found squatting to be of particular advantage in calming what ever uneasiness they have. Even Drop will stop heading for an exit when I make myself smaller.

Their visits are becoming more infrequent and there are at least three that I have not seen in more than two weeks. I read someplace they will re-emerge again when temperatures consistently stay about 55-60 degrees F, or about there. Anyone else have backyard free-rangers in the deep south? If so, about when do yours begin to prepare for Brumation? I don't expect I've seen the last of them quite yet. We will have warm temps again, even though we have experienced a 'slight' cooling off. Is it correct that brumation is somewhere around Oct-Nov? Cheers!

Whew. I’m still reading, but did you mention what kind of “turtles” are free roaming. Seems way too early for brumation down in Alabama.
 

TurtzInMyYard

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Messages
97
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AL
Whew. I’m still reading, but did you mention what kind of “turtles” are free roaming. Seems way too early for brumation down in Alabama.
Brevity has never been my forte. You read anything I write, at your own risk, taxing as may be. Box turtles. I thought is might be early. But they surely are slowing down of late. I think I have Eastern Box and either Florida Box or Gulf Box? Not sure. I have not acquired the skill of identifying them.

Thanks for the response.
 

Toddrickfl1

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All of my Turtles are also beginning to slow down. I think we might have a long cold winter this year.
 

jeff kushner

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Gee Turtz, another extrovert....hmmm. You are really lucky to have such a large local population! They typically won't come out of cover for much.....they must have been there for many years is my guess as you describe a pattern to behaviors.

I just spit my coffee out...
"running to the fridge to grab an apple wedge to offer it to a......leaf"

I do not want to admit why that it so funny to me.

T Rex sounds like a beast.....what a playas playa! When you can't use a puppy, use food! lol
 

Cathie G

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I'm seeing less and less of my turtz in the yard. Over the last week and a half, I noticed a decline in their activity. Earlier this spring, there have been up to four of them in close proximity, foraging for snails and worms, and of course, hoping to find a slice of cantaloupe, watermelon or apple. As summer encroached and things began heating up, they came out in early morning. I was able to watch 'Drip' creeping on her belly, and she was snatching tiny snails from blades of grass, heavy with dew. It was almost a sure bet to see at least three turtles every morning, in various places around the yard. But, with the sun also creeping higher in the sky, the turtles would disappear to their cool burrows. Some ventured toward the magnolia grove in my backyard. The broad and 'shell-like' leaves provide a carpet under the deep shade of the trees. They travel through a twenty foot magnolia forest, leaving my yard, and from there it is deep hardwood forest. I don't know if they burrow under the magnolia leaves or if they have homes deeper into the woods. I lose sight of them before they get through the magnolias. Then as the sun slips lower into the horizon, they slip out from their burrows to forage again. They sleep ALL day. Now and then you might see a 'stray' that's doing something 'weird' that none of the others are doing, but I had no idea turtles could rest so much. They must have been born tired.

Those leaves are perfectly suited to their already amazing camouflage. I'm embarrassed the number of times I've been fooled, running to the fridge to grab an apple wedge to offer it to a......leaf. So disappointing. Leaves, dressed up like turtles. Not cool.

Anyway -- having nine backyard, free range turtles roaming about has been a bit of an unexpected, and surprisingly pleasant adventure. I'm going to miss seeing them as they go into brumation. I haven't seen Drip, now, in three days. Not even when it comes a good turtle rain. That's really unusual. T-Rex fell off on his visits too. When he did show up, you could tell he was just cruising through, to see if there were any last minute females to be had. He didn't linger more than a few minutes before heading off through the magnolias again. Normally, he would hang around a bit. He showed up yesterday to my surprise, as I had not seen any turtle in two or three days. He didn't seem to be in a big hurry, as before and even hung around to accept an apple wedge from me. He's a strange one. After he takes the apple from my hand, he will eat half of it, go hide under the hostas and he just hangs out.

I'm about to say something here which truly may prove I DO belong with those folks over at the NUTHOUSE. I think T-Rex takes part of that apple for himself, and uses the rest of it as 'bait'....I'm being serious... "Bait for what?", you might ask. I'm glad you did. Cuz', I'mma tell you. All of these turtles have met. But, T-Rex did not show up to this party until mid to late August. He's the new kid on the block. I've never seen him before....until the day...I saw him mating with 'Drop'. Sexes of both confirmed. I have seen him run off, and when I say, run off, I mean literally give chase to one of the turtles in my herd. I believe it is the one with the amputated right front foot. I do not know the sex of that turtle. I now wonder if that one is a male. It was reluctant to stay and with some speed, for a turtle I refuse to call 'Stumpy', urgently fled the scene into the woods. T-Rex followed just as urgently with his head at full extension to rival his legs. He was NOT crawling on his belly -- he was in full strut. It was impossible for me -- not to laugh, even if it was at poor Stumpy's expense.

I have witnessed T-Rex 'bait' on at least two other occasions, with success. These gladiator encounters occur in the foraging coliseum, underneath the black oil seed, squirrel proof bird feeder. There is a carpet of sunflower seeds that exceeds ten feet in its diameter. When it rains, just look out the window, and it is for certain you will see at least 25 new turtles emerging from the magnolia grove, headed to the coliseum to feed on worms that are rising to the surface, and snails feeding on small pieces of left over apple. But, then as you're looking through the binoculars, you realize, none of those turtles are actually moving. Fooled, yet once more.

But, then here they come. One by one, stealthily approaching 'the zone'. Surveying and looking carefully for any creature, so as to avoid it, and avoid being seen, if possible...unless it's a friend. Not all these turtles love each other...and some will even leave if they don't like 'the feel' of it. T-Rex has learned all of this. He knows it is a place of turtle action. I believe he eats what he wants of his apple and uses the rest as bait to see 'who' might show up. If it's that pirate turtle with a missing foot -- yep, he will be outta there for sure.

I guess T-Rex has established himself as THE dominant male. But...as I say...I do not know how many male turtles I have in my herd -- T-Rex may be the only one. I only saw two turtles yesterday. Drop and T-Rex. Although, they showed up at different times and never met up. Still-- T-Rex was hopeful as he waited underneath the hosta, keeping an eye on his apple.

I woke up to a turtle rain this morning, looked outside and saw Drop out there. She was alone and foraging. No sign of anybody else. I fed her an apple wedge and as usual she is excited when she sees it -- reluctant as she is to accept it. She has an unusual shell in that there are a couple of places on her shell with tiny rises on the surface, rather like ostrich skin boots. It's interesting how different her behavior is. When she initially sees me, her first inclination is to run for cover and if none is immediately available to her, she just opts to run...away. She appears to be more avoidant, than other members of the group. She's the ONLY one who accepts the apple from my hand and then CARRIES the apple to a place a bit more private and closer to cover. Once, I cut the apple wedge to weigh twice as much as the norm. I couldn't help but laugh in amusement. As she bit into it, I let go of it and the apple and her head experienced an immediate thud as the apple hit the ground. She didn't miss a beat. She picked that apple up, took a step and promptly tripped over it. She tried again. She actually was able to make about three steps with the apple still in her mouth. Unfortunately for her, after those three steps, she could only push the apple along instead of carry it. She was satisfied with that, except only a moment later, she pushed it into a rock and could go no further out of sight with it. She decided she wanted to eat it and so did not leave it for any other turtle who was bound to come along.

For most of them, I do not hang around after they have accepted the apple wedge. I leave them in peace to feel secure and enjoy their treasure. There is only one who really seems to have no fear of me and sometimes I do hang around and talk to her. She seems to be content to eat her goodies even though I am just inches from her. But, true to their natures, without fail, she takes pause and 'checks' me to see if I have moved or if there be another threat lurking. I have found squatting to be of particular advantage in calming what ever uneasiness they have. Even Drop will stop heading for an exit when I make myself smaller.

Their visits are becoming more infrequent and there are at least three that I have not seen in more than two weeks. I read someplace they will re-emerge again when temperatures consistently stay about 55-60 degrees F, or about there. Anyone else have backyard free-rangers in the deep south? If so, about when do yours begin to prepare for Brumation? I don't expect I've seen the last of them quite yet. We will have warm temps again, even though we have experienced a 'slight' cooling off. Is it correct that brumation is somewhere around Oct-Nov? Cheers!
I try to stay small for my little critters too. Plus just outside their (all I can call it is aura) space. If they want to come in I still stay quiet. Eventually they will come and even look for you. Especially if you can do a regular schedule ?
 

TurtzInMyYard

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Joined
Aug 21, 2021
Messages
97
Location (City and/or State)
AL
Gee Turtz, another extrovert....hmmm. You are really lucky to have such a large local population! They typically won't come out of cover for much.....they must have been there for many years is my guess as you describe a pattern to behaviors.

I just spit my coffee out...
"running to the fridge to grab an apple wedge to offer it to a......leaf"

I do not want to admit why that it so funny to me.

T Rex sounds like a beast.....what a playas playa! When you can't use a puppy, use food! lol
Indeed! He surely looks the part. I'm going to have to dig out my camera and zoom lens and get some better shots of him. Maybe next spring when and if he re-emerges I will snap a few close ups.
 

TurtzInMyYard

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Joined
Aug 21, 2021
Messages
97
Location (City and/or State)
AL
I try to stay small for my little critters too. Plus just outside their (all I can call it is aura) space. If they want to come in I still stay quiet. Eventually they will come and even look for you. Especially if you can do a regular schedule ?
You're right, they do look for you. All of mine do. But, I have a feeling that some of them look for me for the purposes of trying to get hidden before I see them. I do have two or three that are actually looking for me, or rather those tasty morsels I hand out. I have gone to sit out on the back porch to talk on the phone and as I do, I'm scanning the yard looking to see if I see 'anybody'. I will 'think' there are no turtz out there. Suddenly, Drip will appear. If she is out there under the hostas and I don't offer to visit coliseum to leave an apple wedge, she will actually grow impatient, come out of hiding, walk down the hill into the open path to BE visible. I have actually even 'ignored' her to see what she would do. She will hang out right where she is, watching me. If I don't approach her with an apple wedge, then she will continue to walk all the way up to the porch steps and sit there! I give her the apple and even though she can carry it, she never does. She eats it right where she takes it from my hand. I go back to my seat and she eats it until its gone, then wanders away to her napping place.

It rained this afternoon. This always causes me to go out and take a look at the coliseum for activity. Drop showed up, took the apple and ran. No others showed up. But -- to my great joy, I discovered my beloved Drip napping under some large terracotta drip plates I have leaned up against the back of the garage. I haven't seen her in days. Then, I checked another known haunt they sometimes use. We have a long back porch which joins a breezeway leading to the garage. Where the brick wall joins the garage, there is a small garden area containing a Japanese Maple. There is thick pine needle mulch in it. There is a 'napping' spot right in the corner. I have seen only two turtles nap there, Stripe and Drip. Mostly Drip naps there. I found Stripe there right after I found Drip. I think Stripe must have beat her to that spot. So, I'm happy to have seen them.

What am I going to do for entertainment with them in brumation? I'm going to miss them. Looking forward to spring and fall hasn't even arrived....
 

TurtzInMyYard

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Messages
97
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AL
All of my Turtles are also beginning to slow down. I think we might have a long cold winter this year.
I noticed a couple of weeks ago they were not as hungry and I thought...their metabolism is probably beginning to slow down in preparation for brumation. I love to hypothesize about their behaviors...
 

Toddrickfl1

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I noticed a couple of weeks ago they were not as hungry and I thought...their metabolism is probably beginning to slow down in preparation for brumation. I love to hypothesize about their behaviors...
I can usually tell when the weather is about to start changing each year by the way my turtles act. The fascinating thing too is they're all indoors, Somehow they know.
 

TurtzInMyYard

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Messages
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AL
I can usually tell when the weather is about to start changing each year by the way my turtles act. The fascinating thing too is they're all indoors.
I actually was going to ask you the arrangement you have with them. So...there we have it. It's instinct -- not necessarily environmental...fascinating stuff!
 

Toddrickfl1

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I actually was going to ask you the arrangement you have with them. So...there we have it. It's instinct -- not necessarily environmental...fascinating stuff!
I think they can sense changes in the barometric pressure.
 

Cathie G

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Lancaster
You're right, they do look for you. All of mine do. But, I have a feeling that some of them look for me for the purposes of trying to get hidden before I see them. I do have two or three that are actually looking for me, or rather those tasty morsels I hand out. I have gone to sit out on the back porch to talk on the phone and as I do, I'm scanning the yard looking to see if I see 'anybody'. I will 'think' there are no turtz out there. Suddenly, Drip will appear. If she is out there under the hostas and I don't offer to visit coliseum to leave an apple wedge, she will actually grow impatient, come out of hiding, walk down the hill into the open path to BE visible. I have actually even 'ignored' her to see what she would do. She will hang out right where she is, watching me. If I don't approach her with an apple wedge, then she will continue to walk all the way up to the porch steps and sit there! I give her the apple and even though she can carry it, she never does. She eats it right where she takes it from my hand. I go back to my seat and she eats it until its gone, then wanders away to her napping place.

It rained this afternoon. This always causes me to go out and take a look at the coliseum for activity. Drop showed up, took the apple and ran. No others showed up. But -- to my great joy, I discovered my beloved Drip napping under some large terracotta drip plates I have leaned up against the back of the garage. I haven't seen her in days. Then, I checked another known haunt they sometimes use. We have a long back porch which joins a breezeway leading to the garage. Where the brick wall joins the garage, there is a small garden area containing a Japanese Maple. There is thick pine needle mulch in it. There is a 'napping' spot right in the corner. I have seen only two turtles nap there, Stripe and Drip. Mostly Drip naps there. I found Stripe there right after I found Drip. I think Stripe must have beat her to that spot. So, I'm happy to have seen them.

What am I going to do for entertainment with them in brumation? I'm going to miss them. Looking forward to spring and fall hasn't even arrived....
I don't think they would come to see you if they didn't trust you food or not. That's beautiful ? They have food everywhere and they have you trained for treats ?
 

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