Geneva Area Turtle and Tortoise Society's free meeting on March 1

Experienced owners of turtles and tortoises know that in nature these reptiles hibernate every winter, giving them the rest period their bodies need to maintain good health. Species which have evolved to hibernate but are deprived of the opportunity for several winters can suffer a decline in reproductive success, and an increased incidence of liver and kidney disease. Turtle and tortoise species originating in the tropics have no need to hibernate in winter because they aestivate in summer, which is their annual period of rest.

But many owners of temperate-area species keep their pets warm and active indoors all winter, depriving them of this natural rest period. The main topic of discussion at the March 1 meeting will be how to prepare these reptiles for hibernation, and the various ways to provide accommodations for them, both indoors and outdoors.

It's important that these chelonians have no food in their digestive track during hibernation, so that no undigested food remains in the system. They should stop receiving any food about two weeks before hibernation, and be offered only water. They should also be placed frequently in a shallow tray of slightly warm water, which stimulates elimination and clears out the system. If they live indoors in a lit enclosure, the apparent day-length should be slowly diminished via the automatic light timers, to reflect the shortening days that initiate hibernation in nature. Chelonians living outdoors see the shortening days and feel the lowering temperatures, and will show their readiness for hibernation by their sluggishness, loss of appetite, and search for a place to hibernate.

Knowledgeable herpetologists at this meeting will explain how to construct simple insulated shelters to let terrestrial tortoises hibernate in their outdoor enclosure. The shelters can be set on the earth of the garden, with swinging doors the tortoises can easily push open; the doors then drop closed automatically to keep out the cold. Shelters can also be buried underground, which the tortoises can reach through a tunnel replicating the burrows they would dig in nature. The shelters are filled with straw or other natural material, and the tortoises can dig themselves in as deep as they want. They can enter and exit their shelters at will all year, to stay cool in summer and warm in winter, and hibernate there until spring arrives.

Turtles and tortoises can also be hibernated in a box filled with straw, potting soil, shredded bark or other insulating material, placed in a cool environment that never freezes. Many owners find places like unheated garages or unheated basements are ideal, as long as the lowest temperature ever reached is several degrees above freezing.

Turtle Society leaders Suzanne and Peter are currently hibernating their young Hermann's tortoises in straw in the vegetable bins of their refrigerator, which stay at an ideal temperature and humidity. When their hibernation is over, the youngsters will be moved back into their well-planted indoor terrariums. When the weather outdoors is warm enough, they'll be returned to their protected outdoor enclosure in the garden, and when they're large enough, they'll be given free rein to join the adult tortoises strolling throughout the entire fenced-in garden.

People lucky enough to have garden ponds have an ideal environment for their aquatic turtles. If the garden or at least the pond is fenced in to prevent escapes, the turtles can live there all year long. At the proper time every fall, turtles will dig themselves into the mud in the bottom of the pond, hibernating there until spring warms up the water again.

As important as this rest period is, only healthy turtles and tortoises should be permitted to hibernate. If your pet shows any sign of illness, injury, infection or weakness, it's best to keep it actively feeding in winter. Unhealthy turtles are more likely to die during hibernation than at any other time of the year. Newly born hatchlings are at slight risk their first winter, so many owners wait for the second winter or later to begin their hibernation.

At the proper time in spring, turtles and tortoises should be brought out of hibernation slowly. That will be the subject of another meeting shortly before that time. Until then, club members and visitors alike can get lots of information about the care of these fascinating animals right on the Geneva Area Turtle and Tortoise Society's web site at http://turtles.meetup....

The web site's 'Welcome' section lists all the latest additions to the web site, such as the newest club members, articles, and photos. The 'About Us' section with its animated graphics tells all about the club, and how to navigate the web site. The 'Calendar' section shows all the upcoming meetings. Check it out and attend one.