Turtles can withstand cold temperatures for months in winter that would kill any mammal in a matter of minutes. Turtles are one of the most resilient and hardy creatures that we know. Sometimes, even seemingly harmless things can lead to life-threatening situations.

Cold is one such factor. For a long time, turtles can survive in frozen ponds during winter. Sometimes, however, even a small inefficiency with the basking lamp can endanger their lives.

This blog will cover everything you need to know about cold temperatures and turtles.

Do Turtles Get Cold?

Yes, turtles get cold. They cannot produce their own heat, as ectotherms. Their body temperature changes according to the temperature of the environment. If the environment is cold, they will feel cold. Their metabolism and heart rate will drop, making them feel lethargic.

Exposure to cold for too long can lead to frostbite, shock, pneumonia and other serious conditions. It can quickly endanger your turtle’s health if it is not treated promptly.

Can Turtles Live In Cold Water?

Turtles can spend months in hibernation under freezing water bodies. Their bodies undergo several changes during this period to adjust to the cold.

A turtle’s body doesn’t have the ability to withstand cold temperatures continuously, but it can be adapted to certain conditions. A turtle that is exposed to temperatures below 40-50 degrees F will become lazy and eat less, leading to forced hibernation. Although most turtles can live for some time in cold water, they shouldn’t be exposed to it.

The turtle’s heartbeat, blood circulation and heartbeat slow down in cold water. The metabolism and immune system also suffer. The turtle’s health may be seriously affected, making it a prime host for many deadly pathogens and viruses.

Hot water, just as cold water, can also cause death to your turtle. Recently, I came across an article about the death of three turtles after they were plunged into hot water. The temperature was around 194-199°F (90-93°C).

What is the ideal temperature for turtles, then? Let’s find the answer.

The Right Water Temperature For Turtles

For most turtles, the ideal water temperature is between 72 and 82degF (22.2 to 27.8degC). For younger and sick turtles, it is better to have water temperatures that are slightly higher. For them, the water temperature should be between 80-82°F (26.5-27.5°C). This helps increase swimming ability and boosts the immune system. Warm water swims faster for turtles.

The exact answer to this question depends on many factors, including the turtle species, their age, the size of the tank and the climate in your area.

As long as your heater and thermometer are reliable, it is easy to maintain the right water temperature. To avoid any contact burns, you should use a heater that has a barrier around it.

The Right Basking Temperature For Turtles

The ideal basking temperature for most turtle species should be between 10-12 degrees F higher than the water. The ideal basking temperature for most North American turtle species, such as Box, Painted, and Slider, is around 90degF.

But, you shouldn’t overdo it with the basking temperature. It can hinder a turtle’s ability to swim if it gets too hot.

Here are some tentative basking temperatures for popular turtle pets.

Turtle Species	Ideal Basking Temperature
Red-Eared Slider	85-95degF
Painted Turtle	85-95degF
Box Turtle	95-90degF
Mud Turtle	85-95degF
Map Turtle	80-85degF
Musk Turtle	80-90degF
Snapping Turtle	85-90degF
Wood Turtle	85-90degF

Let’s now move on to the next interesting question.

Can Turtles Survive Frozen Water?

Many aquatic and semi-aquatic species can live in frozen water, just like they have year after year. But captive turtles aren’t used to extreme conditions. If they are ever placed in such circumstances, it is possible that they will not make it alive.

Turtles can often be seen below the frost line in the wild. The water is generally warmer and more consistent than the frost line in a pond. Their metabolism is so low that they need very little oxygen to continue to tickle.

Cloacal respiration is used to supply oxygen. This involves absorbing oxygen through the skin.

Actually, Painted turtles excel at freezing temperatures.

Adult Painted turtles can withstand temperatures as low as 37 degrees F without oxygen or food for as long as 100 days.

Choosing The Best Heater For Turtles

Heaters can be dangerous for your turtle and you if they are not properly used. There are many risks, from electrocution to painful burns. It is important to evaluate the safety of your heating system, its design, and its efficiency.

A non-glass aquarium heater is recommended if you plan to use it inside your tank. If you do want to use a heater made of glass, make sure to get a cover.

Safety

You shouldn’t cut corners when it comes to heaters. There have been far too many deaths from heater accidents in tanks. When buying heaters, make sure to check for features such as auto shutoff, shockproof design and shatterproof material.

Design

When choosing heaters, design is equally important. While submersible heaters are most common, you can also choose external heaters depending upon your tank configuration.

My Favorite Heater

My current heaters are from Cobalt Aquatics. This heater is my favorite.

Simply put, the heater is reliable, accurate, safe, and durable. These are the three most important qualities that I look for when buying heaters.

One-touch temperature calibration is possible with this system.

Safety is not compromised by the manufacturers. The heater’s integrated circuitry keeps it from overheating and the exterior is shatterproof to prevent accidents.

Choosing The Best Basking Light For Turtles

You need to choose the right basking light for your turtle, just like you do with heaters. Poor quality lighting can cause the turtle to lose their life and explode. It is important that your turtle has heat, UVA and UVB lighting in his basking area.

Many turtle owners ignore UVB lights. It is vital for turtles, and I cannot stress this enough. UVB light helps to make vitamin D3, which turtles require for their bones and organs to be healthy.

You have two options when it comes to basking lights: you can choose the traditional two-bulb configuration consisting of a UVB and basking light.

You can also use a mercury vapour lamp, which can simultaneously provide heat, UVA and UVB.

The two-bulb configuration was my preferred for a long time. However, I switched to mercury va lamps recently in an effort to get a cleaner look for the tanks.

My Favorite Basking Light

This is the light I currently use for basking. I have had great experiences with it so far. This full-spectrum light provides both UVA light and UVB light that are crucial for reptiles.

Amazon has thousands of positive reviews for this product. It seems that I am not the only one who loves this product.

It is equally important to have a solid, balanced, adjustable bulb holder.

This is one I love from REPTI ZOO.

This holder has a lot of room around the bulb, which I love. The bulbs can get extremely hot when they are lit for long periods of time. It is safer for my pets to use this stand.

Conclusion On Do Turtles Get Cold

It’s a simple question: Do turtles get too cold? They do. They can’t regulate their bodies temperature like we can.

The turtles will naturally become colder if their environment is cold.

Although turtles can withstand extreme colds in winter due to their construction, the water and temperature of their basking areas should not exceed the recommended standards.

The ideal water temperature for most species is between 72 and 82 degF. However, basking temperatures should be 10-12 degrees higher.

You can take care of your turtle’s light and heat needs by using the right equipment. You should invest in a heater and a basking lamp. Cutting back on these areas can lead to serious problems.