COSTANZO, JP; BAKER, PJ*; IVERSON, JB; LEE JR, RE; Miami Universtiy; Miami Universtiy; Earlham College; Miami Universtiy: Comparative aspects of terrestrial hibernation in hatchling red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta) and painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) in a cold environment.

We investigated overwintering habits and cold hardiness of hatchling of the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta) near the northern limit of their geographic distribution, comparing them with the more commonly studied hatchlings of the painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) in the same locale. With few exceptions, hatchling T. scripta overwintered within their natal nests during the four winters of record. Winter survival was very high despite the frequent occurrence of frost within the nest chamber; therefore, this species may be more cold tolerant than previously suggested. Generally, the thermal conditions within T. scripta nests were less severe than those in C. picta nests due in part to their greater depth within the soil column. In laboratory studies we could not discern differences in the limits to freeze tolerance or supercooling between T. scripta and C. picta; however, hatchling T. scripta were more susceptible to inoculative freezing. T. scripta may compensate for this deficiency by placing its young deeper in the soil column.