Habitat - Indoor :: Hibernation??

[AllTheCandies]

It's fall time here in Massachusetts. I know RES hibernate but I'm not sure when or how? If I keep my turtles inside with a heat lamp will they still get all sluggish during the winter months? Or will they just not hibernate? I've never had a pet that could potentially hibernate so I have no idea when or what causes them to do so. My turtles are only like two and a half months old or so, so it's not like they've hibernated in the past.

[Shelldon]

they shouldnt hibernate in the tank, heres the link to the website page:
http://redearslider.com/hibernation.html

[marisa]

If, as you say, they're two and a half months old, there's no way they could have hibernated last winter---they wouldn't have been hatched.

Turtles hibernate in response to unfavorable conditions (it's a physiological response to the cold in the wild). Your hatchlings needn't and shouldn't hibernate. Get a submersible water heater for them, set it at 78F and enjoy the winter together.

[AllTheCandies]

ah alright. thanks! I didn't know if it was an automatic thing like it is with some frogs or not.

[marisa]

It is automatic, if conditions are right (it's cold enough).