I have 2 RES both just under a year old. They are in good condition and i'd like to get a very large kiddie pool, and move them outside year round. My question is... if I get a kiddie pool that is at least 18 inches deep and every fall, fill the bottom with playsand, leaves, mud, etc will they be ok to hibernate? I live in northern GA and RES are native to my area, it only usually snows once every winter and I could keep the water from freezing completely by means of a running water pump to keep the water from sitting still and freezing. My sister has a fish pond that is 18 inches deep, it never froze over last winter and the two kio that are in it survived the winter.

Is it a good idea? if I can't do this I will just have to get rid of them as I am already in the process of doing so. The local shop has put their picture and info on their bulletin board with "free to a good home" written on it.

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-Adam

"Help Protect our Planet from Overcollection, Purchase Aquacultured Livestock and Captive Bred Herps"

To answer your question Adam, Yes! you can keep your RES's outside and they will hibernate (burmate) on thier own epescially since you live in georgia( warmer winter temps) as long as you fill the bottom of the pool with enough mud,leaves,gravel, ect. now a kiddie pool may not be deep enough for this though, your sliders will need at least 6-8 inches of substrate to burrow in ,if the kiddie pool is deep enough then go for it
i was also suggest that use a pump in the winter to prevent the water temp dropping below 39F other than that you should be good.

read through this article before you start though
http://www.allturtles.com/setup/outdoorWT.php

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-Ron

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