We picture turtles swimming in the ocean with divers and eating plankton. Did you know that turtles must come to the surface to breathe, just as whales?

Turtles do not have gills. They have lungs, and must breathe through their nares which are located just above their mouth.

If you’re a pet turtle owner, the question is, can your pet turtles drown? Pet turtles can drown if they cannot breathe at the surface. Pet turtles often drown when they are squeezed down by obstacles, such as decors or plants in their tank. If your turtle chokes when it is eating in the water, it could also drown.

Do Turtles Drown?

Yes, turtles can drown when they are trapped underwater and cannot breathe. A turtle could drown if their legs get stuck in the tank decorations or the water is too high to reach the surface. Turtles can also choke on food and drown underwater.

They require less oxygen to swim longer distances, but they still need oxygen to breath.

How Do Turtles Drown?

Turtles, unlike fish, do not have any gills that allow them to breathe underwater. They are reptiles, and they have lungs that work just like ours. Although turtles can hold their breath underwater longer than mammals, eventually they will have to reach the surface to breathe. They will drown if they fail to reach the surface in time.

The activity a turtle is engaged in determines how long it can remain underwater. A turtle that is underwater foraging may not be able to stay submerged for longer periods (6 to 7 hours). A turtle can stay underwater for many hours if it is sleeping or resting underwater.

A turtle that is in the water to hibernate can also remain underwater for many months. This is also true for aestivation activity, which only a few turtle species can perform.

The turtle must reach the surface to breathe if it isn’t getting enough oxygen. If it is unable to reach the surface due to obstacles, the turtle may drown.

These are some of the reasons a turtle might drown:

Decors Inside The Aquarium

Sometimes playthings that we consider to be safe for turtles can cause serious injuries. These items can cause injury to your turtle by tying it in unintended places or pinning him underwater until he stops breathing.

Aquatic Plants

Your turtle could be trapped underneath aquatic shrubs or weeds, which can also cause it to become suffocated. The entire tank can be flooded by plants with high growth rates, which could lead to such injuries.

Flipping on Itself

Turtles can flip over on their backs because they are very clumsy. A turtle that is flipped over will struggle to get its feet upright. Trying too hard to flip the turtle can cause rapid depletion in oxygen levels. Anaerobic respiration is activated, and the turtle produces lactic acid to replace oxygen. The turtle may die immediately as lactic acid is toxic.

Deep Tank

Freshwater turtles tend to prefer longer and shallower tanks. They can enjoy the extra space to swim. Baby turtles shouldn’t be kept in a deeper tank. They might have trouble returning to the surface if they swim too far down to the bottom. The panic can lead to frantic swimming. This causes rapid oxygen depletion in their bodies. This could lead to a turtle drowning.

Choking

A turtle can drown in a tank if they are choked. The turtles love to forage through the debris and can choke if they are eating too fast in deep water. If the turtle had it been near the surface, it could reach the area where it was basking and get rid of it. They can drown underwater if they are unable to get oxygen.

How To Know If Your Turtle Has Drowned And Died?

Even though the possibility of a turtle drowning may seem unlikely, it could happen to anyone. A turtle that has been drowned will not show any activity or move from its spot.

You shouldn’t immediately flip your turtle upside-down if you find out that your turtle is dead. Your turtle may not be able to breathe the last bit of air.

Signs Of A Drowned Turtle

A turtle will die from lack of oxygen after a few minutes of drowning. Because of the buildup of gas in the body, dead turtles will float up to the surface. However, a turtle floating to the surface for entertainment should not be mistaken for a dead turtle.

To check, push the turtle into the water to see if it sinks halfway. A live turtle will sink to the bottom and then go underwater, while a dead turtle will bounce back up on the surface.

You might mistakenly think your turtle is drowning if it sleeps underwater. You can check if your turtle is asleep or not by gently poking him with your finger. If your turtle moves, such as hiding his head in his shell, it is likely that he is sleeping underwater. He could be dead if he doesn’t move his legs, hands or head.

Place your turtle on a flat surface if you think he is drowned or dead. Keep pulling and pushing its leg. This could help your turtle push the water out of his lungs.

You may see fish and tank mates gathering near your drowned turtle. This could indicate that something is wrong.

If you don’t see any movement in the turtle, place it on the basking spot. Also check for signs of other movements. Pay attention to the area between the neck & frontal limbs. This is where his lungs are located. This is where you will see your turtle breathing. If it doesn’t, then your turtle is likely dead.

How Long Does It Take For A Turtle To Drown?

A turtle can drown in about ten minutes. A panicked turtle desperately trying to get air can’t hold on for long and will quickly drown. This happens when the turtle feels trapped and can’t get to the surface for air.

The time it takes for a turtle’s body to drown depends on many factors. The temperature of the water is one reason. The turtle’s metabolism will increase if the water is heated. This means that the turtle will require more oxygen than usual. This causes turtles to drown faster. However, if the temperature is lower, the turtle’s metabolism will slow down and it will take longer to drown.

Even though the turtle may have died several hours ago, it might still be alive. Instead of wallowing in misery, try to find ways to save your turtle from drowning.

Why Do Turtles Not Drown During Hibernation?

To keep warm in winter, turtles hibernate. A turtle’s metabolism will be severely affected during hibernation. Its heart rate will increase by 2 to 3 beats per minute. The turtle’s bodily functions are so limited that it can survive without oxygen. This is because of its unique breathing through the cloacae, also known as butt-breathing.

How To Revive A Drowned Turtle?

Even after drowning, a turtle that has been drowned might still be alive 12 hours later. If you take the right steps, it is possible to revive a drowned turtle.

It is known that turtles can survive for up to 24 hours without oxygen. A turtle that has been drowned has a greater chance of being resurrected.

Remember to never turn the turtle’s back. Even though the turtle has drowned, it can still have air in its lungs. When you flip the turtle that has been drowned, the air from its lungs will disappear and it will become harder for the turtle to breathe.

It is best to take it immediately to the vet. If you need to revive a turtle that has been drowned, you can follow these steps.

1. Grab the turtle from the water and immediately hold it with its head pointed down.
2. Grab the head right behind your ears and pull the neck out. You will only cause more problems than good if you are gentle. You can leak some of the water that it has inhaled by pulling its neck.
3. After pulling the turtle’s head back a few times, you can place it upright on a dry surface. It is best to not place it on its back as it will make it difficult for breathing.
4. It should be placed on a dry surface. Stretch its forelimbs, and then push it back into the shell. This will allow it to inhale more water.
5. Do the same for your hind legs.
6. Keep going until the water is gone completely from its body.
7. Take your turtle to the vet immediately if it shows any signs of life like movement in the head or hands.

Reviving a drowned turtle baby

Here are some reasons why you should immediately take your turtle to the vet.

It is important to immediately take your turtle that has been drowned to the vet. Other complications can often occur in these cases. Pneumonia is one of the most common complications. A respiratory infection is another.

Yes, turtles do get pneumonia. Although they are cold-blooded, the illness is more fatal for them than it is for us. Because our warm-blooded bodies generate energy to fight off the internal cold. However, a turtle’s cold-blooded body isn’t equipped to combat the internal cold such as pneumonia.

You should immediately take your turtle to the vet.

Your vet will administer antibiotics to combat the cold. The antibiotics also help to drain any water that is trapped in the turtle’s lungs. The vets will then start giving oxygen.

Sometimes, the vet will insert a small tube into the turtle’s mouth to supply pure oxygen. This helps to replenish the oxygen in your turtle’s system.

Reviving baby turtles can be difficult. If you have a baby turtle, or one of the younger types, you should get them back.

Does Sea Turtle Drown?

Yes, sea turtles can drown if they get caught in fishing nets or ghost nets. The human cause means that sea turtles can drown, despite being able to live underwater for the longest time in the turtle family. They will not die immediately after drowning. They will be in a coma and there is a 50% chance that they will regain consciousness.

How Long Can A Red-Eared Slider Turtle Stay Underwater?

Red-eared slider turtles can hold their breath underwater for up to 30-40 minutes. If the water is cold, however, they may be able to slow down their metabolism and stay longer. They can hold their breath for hours during activities such as sleeping.

How Long Can A Box Turtle Stay Underwater?

Box turtles are terrestrial turtles, meaning they cannot hold their breath as well as other aquatic turtles. They can hold their breath underwater for around 20 minutes.

How Long Can Painted Turtles Stay Underwater?

The longest-lasting freshwater species are the painted turtles. They can hold their breath for several hours without ever coming up to the surface for air. The length of time a turtle can remain underwater is also affected by factors like temperature.

Do Turtles Drown While Sleeping?

Turtles don’t drown when they sleep. Over millions of years, turtles have developed to be able to sleep underwater. They might drown if they are trapped underwater.

Do Turtles Drown During Hibernation?

Hibernation does not cause turtles to drown. Their body metabolism rate drops at such a slow rate that they can live without breathing for several weeks before going into hibernation. During hibernation, they also breathe through their butts (“cloacae”).