Turtles do hibernate. As cold-blooded animals, turtles are dependent on the external environment for their body temperature regulation, so in the winter when the temperature drops, they will enter a sleep-like state to reduce energy expenditure, which is called hibernation. During hibernation, the tortoise's metabolism slows down, its activity almost stops, and its body temperature decreases.
Different species of turtles start hibernation at slightly different temperatures, but usually when the temperature drops to 10 to 15 degrees Celsius, the turtle goes into hibernation. During hibernation, turtles stop eating, so a suitable environment needs to be provided to keep them healthy. In the case of domestic tortoises, it is sometimes necessary to provide a warmed environment and feed them on time in order to ensure that they survive the winter.
Before hibernating, turtles usually increase their feed intake to store enough energy to survive the winter. Subsequently, they will gradually reduce the amount of food they eat until they stop eating. During hibernation, turtles do not excrete, which is also an adaptation strategy for them to survive in cold environments.
It is important to note that the turtle's living environment needs to be kept moist during hibernation, and the temperature should be kept between 4 and 15 degrees Celsius. Some breeders will have tortoises wake up once every half a month during hibernation to eat, which can help them better survive the cold winter.
In conclusion, hibernation of turtles is a natural phenomenon and a survival strategy for them to adapt to the cold environment. Understanding and respecting the hibernation habits of tortoises and providing a suitable hibernation environment is an important part of ensuring their healthy growth.