Urgent Care :: Help Turtle May Freeze - Doesn't seem to be able to dive to.

[nmpondguy]

This morning I noticed that my Turtle (~4" carapace) was stuck to the inlet of the pump in my pond. This is in my pond, which has not had ice on it for a few days. The pump is in there for circulation. It is about 8" to a foot from the top of the water. I turned the pump off to release him from it.

I thought the turtle was dead, but noticed his leg move. I left him on the shelf where the pump is to see if he would wake up (warm up in the sun) as the day went on.

I just went out to see him and he's pretty much floating on the surface. I pushed him down to the bottom of the pond and he swam around apparrently trying to stay down, but eventually stopped swimming and slowly rose to the surface again. The water is very cold to my hands though obviously not frozen now. It's supposed to be 30 degrees over night, I think he may freeze at the top of the water.

Should I leave him in the pond, or bring him in the house. Don't want him to warm up too quickly, or do I? Plus if I bring him in, won't I have to keep him indoors until spring? Assuming he lives.

[nmpondguy]

Don't want him to warm up too quickly, or do I? Plus if I bring him in, won't I have to keep him indoors until spring? Assuming he lives.

[adam85491]

That water is so cold that unless you find a way to heat the pond then that turtle probably wants you to take him in until it warms up. Would you want to swim in freezing water? I don't think he could get hurt from warming up too quickly.

[nmpondguy]

I know he could handle the cold if he'd stayed at the bottom (3 feet ). Actually I saw him swimming very slowly under ice a month ago. Ice has come and gone several times singe then and he's been fine. I guess he may have been super chilled for however long he was stuck to the pump I was out there on Thursday, so it must have happend sometime since then.

I'll catch him and bring him in, hopefully that'll help. First I have to find or go and buy something to keep him in.

Thanks adam85491

[adam85491]

Your welcome, but actually, turtles hibernate because it is that cold, and hibernating is dangerous for a turtle in captivity. Is there any way to heat your pond. There are powerful enough heaters, right?

[steve]

I would also take him indoors and carefully warm him up (75F).

Also, read this: First Aid for Drowned Turtle http://www.turtlecare.net/drown.htm

[nmpondguy]

OK. Just got back from buying a storage tote to put him in. Got to go get him, it's getting dark out.

Thanks for the link Steve.