Summary of Where did the turtles go for the winter?:
The San Francisco Zoo has welcomed 26 turtles into their upcoming Turtle Oasis habitat. The turtles, including wood turtles, spotted turtles, and alligator snapping turtles, will spend the winter months brumating, a period of dormancy similar to hibernation. During brumation, turtles become sluggish, and their metabolism slows down. They can survive without food and very little oxygen for several months. Brumation also helps regulate hormones and prepares turtles for mating season in the spring. The turtles will nestle in mud and leaf piles underwater during brumation. On warm, sunny days, they may come up to the surface to bask in the sun, but they will return to brumating before it gets too cold. The Zoo ensures that the turtles are properly cared for during brumation by feeding them enough to store body fat before brumating. The turtles will not be fed during temperatures below 60 degrees. The Turtle Oasis has moving water, so freezing temperatures are not a concern. The Zoo’s herpetology keeper team will perform visual checks on the turtles several times daily. Brumation allows the turtles to reset and adapt to the changing seasons, and they will become more active again in the springtime.
Summary:
1. Brumation is a period of dormancy that turtles undergo during colder temperatures.
2. Turtles enter a state of torpor, where their metabolism slows down and they become sluggish.
3. Brumation helps regulate reptile hormones and prepares them for mating season in the spring.
4. Turtles find shelter in slow-moving streams, rivers, or ponds during brumation.
5. The Zoo takes care of the turtles by ensuring they have enough body weight to brumate and monitoring their activity levels.
We have some exciting news for all turtle enthusiasts out there! Our upcoming Turtle Oasis habitat is now home to 26 amazing turtles, including wood turtles, spotted turtles, Blanding’s turtles, alligator snapping turtles, and more species to come. Our dedicated Animal Care and Horticulture teams work tirelessly to prepare this space for a grand opening in the spring; these turtles will embark on an adventure of their own during the winter months. So, where did these turtles go for the winter? Let’s dive into the fascinating world of brumation.
Brumation, for those unfamiliar with the term, is a period of dormancy that reptiles undergo when faced with colder temperatures. Unlike hibernation, where animals are in a deep sleep, turtles in brumation enter a state of torpor. Their metabolism slows down, and they become sluggish, conserving energy to survive the winter. It’s astounding that Tan goes for several months without food and with minimal oxygen intake in this state!
Beyond its purpose as a survival mechanism, brumation plays a crucial role in hormone regulation and reproductive success for turtles. This period of inactivity acts as a reset for their bodies, preparing both males and females for the upcoming mating season in the spring. It’s an essential part of their natural cycle.
When turtles sense cues of shorter and colder days, they instinctively seek suitable locations for brumation. For our turtles in the Turtle Oasis, this means moving into slow-moving streams, rivers, or ponds. Here, they find cozy spots nestle and leaf piles along the bottom, under logs and roots along the banks, or sometimes even in other animals’ burrows, depending on the species.
Interestingly, the wood, spotted, Blanding’s, and alligator snapping turtles in our Turtle Oasis brumate underwater. Yes, that’s right! They make themselves home in the tranquil waters, embracing the chilly temperatures as they enter their dormant state. If you’re lucky, you might glimpse these amazing creatures basking in the sun or moving gracefully underwater on a warm and sunny winter day. But rest assured, they quickly return to their brumation spot before the cold sets in again. The duration of brumation for turtles can vary, typically lasting around 3 to 5 months, depending on the climate.
Now, let’s delve into the Color Zoo’s warehouse of remarkable turtles during their brumation period. Just like mammals that need to store body fat before hibernation, turtles spend the summer months preparing for brumation nutritionally. Our diligent keepers ensure that the turtles are fed 3 to 5 times weekly while active, providing enough body weight to sustain them during brumation. However, they won’t be fed once temperatures drop below 60 degrees. Instead, they can enjoy plants and algae present in their habitat at their leisure. If additional food might be offered, little is seen basking on a warmer day, indicating higher activity levels and addies of the environment; the water in the Turtle Oasis is continuously moving, mitigating the risk of freezing temperatures. Some of our other turtle species that reside outside throughout the year have even been observed moving and breeding under ice, showcasing their adaptability. Our dedicated herpetology keeper team conducts regular visual checks on the turtles in the Turtle Oasis several times a day, just as they do all year round, ensuring the turtles’ well-being.
Brumation is a natural process that contributes to the turtle’s health and well-being by throwing their bodies to reset and adapt to changing seasons. It’s incredible to witness their ability to go without food and endure harsh conditions as they patiently await the arrival of spring. We invite you to stay tuned and watch for these amazing creatures, as they will become more active and vibrant when the warmer days of spring roll around. The Turtle Oasis is sure to be a sight to behold, and we can’t wait to share it with all of you. Until then, let’s celebrate the wonders of nature and the remarkable adaptations that allow turtles to thrive in the wild and within our care.
