All Turtles Message Board

ssaroff · Guest Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Posts: 2

We have 4 painted turtles in a large aquarium on an outside porch.
We have had them for several years, and they have a good environment and do well, and have grown. Each winter it gets to about 40 degrees F on the porch, and the turtles sink to the bottom of the tank and remain motionless for long periods. I assume they are hibranating.

This winter though, they have been laying on their backs. At first we thought they were dead. But they are not, they come arround and flip over and then end up on their backs again. This started happening about a month ago, and we thought that perhaps they hibranate on their backs.

But just today I noticed that over their clossed eyelids is a fungus-looking cloudy matter.

Is there sickness causing the back laying behavior? What suggestions does anyone have? My kids love these turtles.

EarthVsJazz · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2006 1:46 am Post subject:

Not sure. I never have never hibernated before so I can't say much. No turtle or tortoise should ever be on it's back. That can't be good. I don't know. Might be time for a vet time. But scince there in Hibernation mode they might not be able to do anything. Sorry I don't have any other advise then to seek a vet.

- Ed
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