My box turtle buried itself and won't come out. What should I do?

It sounds like she may be trying to hibernate. However, there is also a possibility that she is sick. I would encourage you to have her evaluated by a veterinarian. If they feel she is healthy then you may want to hibernate her in your garage over the winter. A large, sand filled bucket with hay on the top usually works well. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

I am sorry to hear about Nokta. I too, am worried about what you describe. Although when they hibernate their limbs are usually in the shell, not out. I do worry that she could be gravely ill and very weak. It can be hard to tell if a turtle is deceased. It is impossible to find a heartbeat, and reptiles can survive on only breathing very infrequently. I would recommend having her evaluated by your veterinarian as soon as possible. If that is not available then try to warm her up and see if she will Move. If she is alive she likely needs veterinary care to survive. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

This is not normal, as turtles are air breathers. Hiding under the substrate could be due to fear or if getting too cold. As stated prior, husbandry changes should be made in an attempt to provide better husbandry, a haul out site that is warm. Good luck.

Clean the tank and perform a partial water change. Rinse the filter media in some tank water, not tap water, to preserve beneficial bacteria. Make sure the water is warm, between 75F and 86 F, and the basking area is at proper temp ( 85 F to 90 F). Low temps can affect activity in reptiles. She may need a few days to reacclimate to you, even though you weren't gone long. Monitor for lethargy, loss of appetite, swimming crooked, difficulty breathing or discharge from the eyes or nose. If necessary, have her examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet to diagnose and treat injury or infection.

He may have been hibernating/brumating. Continue with the daily soaks in warm water or a 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. Get him eating if he isn't already. If the behavior persists, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose illness.

Check the water quality. Make sure it is clean and at the proper temperature. She may also be searching for food or a safe place to bask. It is unlikely given her age, but she may be looking for a place to lay eggs. Consider an exam with your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose illness or injury. Her shell in the image does not appear normal or healthy, but it could be her age.

Hello, Reptiles are cold blooded, and require controlled temperatures at all time in captivity. Noor likely became malnourished, dehydrated, and very cold in her time outside of her enclosure. This can lead to many different problems. It is difficult to force turtles to eat, and many require feeding tubes to get nutrition when they are ill. I would recommend taking Noor to a veterinarian. I hope this is helpful.