Turtle Hibernation

Q. What do turtles do in the winter?

A. Many of them brumate.

Brumate is just another word for hibernate. Find out more here: How Turtles Hibernate Through the Winter

WINTERING TURTLES

All but one of our turtle species overwinter in mud and leaf litter in the bottom of lakes, ponds, or slowing-moving streams. During warm spells, some will become more active and can be seen swimming under the ice. The Eastern box turtle, a terrestrial species, burrows into loose soil or sand, or enters old mammal holes to spend the winter. The rare diamondback terrapin buries itself in tidal flats and coastal streams, but may emerge during prolonged spells of warm weather.