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Our turtle Torty has been outside all summer. Yesterday we returned from vacation to cold temperatures, and found Torty lying at the bottom of the pond inactive. Fearing that the small pond may freeze over, we brought him indoors where he usually spends the winter. After 18 hours there is no movement. Is he hibernating or dead? How can we tell? Thanks for any advice.

Hmm, the best way to tell would probably be to gradually warm up the water. You don't want to put him in to 75 degree water immediately because he can go in to shock. You will want to slowly warm the water over the course of 2-3 days I think until you get to 75 degrees. He should come to shortly after if he's still alive.

It also seems that, through my brief research, turtles have strong heartbeats. You could try listening for a heartbeat, though it is likely to be very slow, according to this website it could be once every 15 minutes! (http://www.stoller-eser.com/nie/Weeks/AAS4-14LR.pdf)

Unfortunately if he has started brumating, it will be nearly impossible to tell if he is dead or alive until he comes out of it. Give it a few days or listen for the heartbeat.

Welcome. 18 hours and no movement, even though he's been indoors for 18 hours?

There is absolutely no resistance if you gently pull on a limb? What do the eyes look like (sunken or just closed?)?

hmm thats not a good sign after 18hours the turtle should have come out of hibernation if it was in that state. As for cold tempertures what do you mean? In the high 30s a turtle can still be active.