What happens to snapping turtles in the winter 2024?

As a wildlife biologist with a specialization in herpetology, I've spent considerable time studying the behavior and adaptations of various reptiles, including snapping turtles. The winter season presents unique challenges for these cold-blooded creatures, and the snapping turtle, or *Chelydra serpentina*, has developed several strategies to cope with the harsh conditions.

Firstly, it's important to clarify a common misconception: snapping turtles do not truly hibernate like some other animals. Instead, they enter a state known as brumation, which is a period of dormancy similar to hibernation but typically less prolonged and less deep. During brumation, the turtle's metabolic rate slows significantly, and its body temperature drops closer to that of the surrounding environment. This reduced metabolic state allows the turtle to conserve energy when food is scarce.

In the winter, snapping turtles seek out deeper waters where the temperature is more stable and less likely to fluctuate with the cold air temperatures above. They may bury themselves in the mud or sediment at the bottom of bodies of water, effectively insulating themselves from the cold. The mud acts as a thermal blanket, helping to maintain a more constant temperature around the turtle.

While in this state, snapping turtles are not completely inactive. They remain somewhat alert to changes in their environment, such as shifts in light and temperature that might indicate the approach of spring. This readiness allows them to emerge from brumation more quickly once conditions become favorable again.

It's also worth noting that snapping turtles have a few physiological adaptations that help them survive the winter. They possess the ability to slow their heart rate and respiration to a minimal level, further conserving energy. Additionally, they can tolerate higher levels of lactic acid in their muscles than many other animals, which is beneficial during periods of low oxygen availability.

As the ice begins to melt and the water warms, snapping turtles become more active. They may start to move around, searching for food and mates. The transition from brumation to full activity is gradual and is influenced by the specific environmental conditions of each year's spring.

In summary, snapping turtles have a remarkable set of adaptations that allow them to survive the winter months. They do not hibernate but instead brumate, a state of reduced metabolic activity that enables them to conserve energy while remaining somewhat alert to environmental changes. Their physiological traits, such as the ability to tolerate high levels of lactic acid and slow their heart rate, further aid in their survival during this challenging time.

Feb 27, 2014 -- Unlike frogs, turtles don't hibernate through the winter. In fact, sometimes you can see snappers and other species moving around under the ice. While their metabolism runs at very low ebb in the cold, they remain alert to changes in light and temperature that signal the coming spring.Feb 27, 2014