Wintering terrestrial turtles

In the last part we explain the basic principles of the Mediterranean wintering species of terrestrial turtles green lined and ctyrprste (while the geographically does not fall within the Mediterranean area, but in order for her the same). Now we focus on what the turtle flew south for the zazimovat and how the turtles are kept in the apartment. And also on how close the order.

In order not to be fulfilled the basic assumptions, which are mainly to: the appropriate temperature and high humidity (80-100%). On the wintering turtles store mostly into different boxes, plastic, which are well udrzovatelne. If we're lucky, and we have to order the best cellar (preferably accompanied, where winter lasts well apples or potatoes), we can save the turtles, even in plastic crates of vegetables. In areas that are drier, we rather more reserved cases, in which the humidity is better. But even those don't forget plenty of openings for the exchange of air! Turtle during wintering breathing normally, although in a much slower rate than in the active state. Extremely important is that we zimovaci the box well against the intrusion of rodents! The turtle is in the winter of sleep completely defenseless and nezvana visit, in the form of a mouse or a rat, it can easily be fatal. Therefore, in order to use boxes from stronger plastics, or other materials,in any case, don't use open or paper boxes. When you use the open plastic boxes (such as the already mentioned case of vegetables), we have to do the measures against rodents. Should be that the entire crate I resistant wire gauze with mesh so small that they could not penetrate even a small mouse. These measures are not necessary only in areas in which we're 100% sure that there's rodent cannot be introduced (e.g. refrigerator, or special zimovaci in the country, traveling and lined tunnels or room).

What to do when the leasing?

If the turtle lives out the whole season, not the zazimovanim usually has no problem. The tortoise in order to prepare herself and then left before her capture, in the zimovaciho box and the save the right to the point where they will spend the whole winter. We can in the course of a month before zazimovanim once, twice or three times a bath, preferably in the warmer days. We bath in water at a temperature of around 20-25 C for a period of 10-20 minutes, the water level must be suchin order to enable the tortoise can comfortably breathe. But it is not necessary, if we are in the range of the bathing water container (which is one of the basic equipment of the Paddock), the turtle bath, which she deems appropriate. Bathing the turtles before zimovanim a little controversy, someone says that they must bathe thoroughly to Turtle perfectly empty food remnants in it were never the whole winter. On the other hand, it is of the opinion that the tortoise in the bowels of the should at least have small remains of food, because when completely empty, so in her gastrointestinal tract become extinct good digestive bacterial culture. When this happens, you may have a problem with the tortoise after odzimovani rozkrmenim. This is logical, because it cannot work well, the digestive system, which is based on the correct function of digestive bacteria. Also I'm not personally in favour of the excessive bathing before zimovanim. Flew south for you in a variety of substrates, which satisfy the essential requirement to maintain a sufficiently able to humidity. For example, they may be damp newspaper, clean cloth diapers, beech leaves, kurovy substrate, presate wood shavings, straw, peat. We, at the bottom of the container we give 5-10 cm high kuroveho layer of the substrate (terrarium bark, preferably jedlova or pine), peat or shavings. This layer isolates it from the bottom and check the Tortoise it may go. The turtle Foundation on the substrate and around her and spread material that will keep moisture. This should be navrstven so as to ensure an adequate supply of air. The bravery of ordinary newspapers, which simply zmuchlame and we'll fill out the space around them and over the animal. The material inside the well navlhcime, newspapers best spray, dip, and check the substance of nappies you so as not to nekapala the water. If we have a turtle more zimujeme is 2-4 pieces, we make so big box turtles to fit next to each other, and even between them there was about 10 cm above the floor space. Before saving to zimovaciho boxing is still record the weight of the turtles, so we should odzimovani comparison. During the wintering would not lose the tortoise more than 10% of its weight.

If we keep the turtle inside, is preparing to order a bit more complex. We've got to her wintering gradually prepare us. We will begin approximately a month to 6 weeks before leasing. First in the terrarium, the heat source (usually a light bulb), we can start gradually, and only limit the first light. To control the hours we set a shorter interval, such as three hours in the morning and three hours in the afternoon. After about a week of light we shut down completely. At the same time reduce our food supply. In the absence of available water. After approximately two to three weeks, we should observe that the turtle is less active, more time spent in hiding, Burrows into the substrate. In that time we take into space with the tortoise of lower temperature (around 12-16 (C)), we can take advantage of the unfired room, corridor or porch. We don't have to move it with the whole terariem, we can use a reasonably big box, equipped with at least 10 cm high with a layer of the substrate, the hiding place and a bowl with water.There's a turtle in the absence of a few days to two weeks, during that time we observe her, and when few active and sleep, so she prendame into its wintering grounds in a way that is described in the preceding paragraph.

During the winter it is necessary to keep an eye on it, if it is in the zimovacim area of the correct temperature. Thus, around 4-8 (C), while the short-term fluctuation of a couple of stupinku, under or above this range, the majority of the mind. There are even cases where the turtles in order not to resist, even when the temperature dropped below zero â€" but I would point out that it was a decline below zero only a tiny, did not last longer than a few hours. Furthermore, it is necessary to check if too dry up the substrate in which the tortoise wintering. If it is too dry, so navlhcime it again. Turtle during wintering, sometimes we're checking, visually, where appropriate, we will test the reaction by slightly poklepeme on the rear legs, Turtle should respond to at least small movement. Checks may not be too frequent, whether turtle unnecessarily nevyrusujeme.The turtle is more or less during the wintering to the carapace, and has his eyes closed. If the turtle is in the unusual position, legs and head too drawn-out from the carapace, the odd-coloured skin, or otherwise does not seem to us, so I'd rather order will end prematurely.

The turtles are kept in the open air, zimujeme, until he's out at least 10 C temperature wheel, which is usually during April and may. After odzimovani the turtle bath, is a good idea to drink. Then she put straight into the air. As soon as we start to make animal feed, food should start within a few days. The turtles are kept inside the vyndavame of wintering during March and April. The tortoise in a sensory deprivation in the area with a lower temperature (around 15-19 C) and leave her there for a few days, before he wakes up, she again trick. After her prendame to teraria. After odzimovani served a valuable food (young dandelions, clover, leaf, plantain and flowers, vitaminomineralni-enriched products).

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