Why Is My Turtle Sleeping So Much? [Should You Be Worried?]

Turtles, the seemingly slow-moving reptiles, possess a distinct scheme of activity and rest. Pressing the snooze button and going dark for hours is expected from them. But it’s troubling to see them sleeping more than often.

So, why is your turtle sleeping so much? Turtles sleep more than usual because of a low ambient temperature to save energy or if they are sick. They also sleep extensively in the hibernating season, which is the colder months. Some species, however, are prone to nocturnal activity. So they sleep during the day.

Anyway, this is just a scratch on the surface. In this write-up, I will get down to the nitty-gritty of why a turtle sleeps so much. So, without wasting a moment, let’s dive in.

Why Is My Turtle Sleeping So Much? Detailing

Overall, the sleep patterns of your pet turtle can change drastically. There might be quite a few causes for this. I’ll go through them individually to paint a better picture of the situation. 

1. Low Water Temperature

A turtle’s Sleep pattern is significantly correlated with the ambient temperature. Their behavior and psychology revolve around that.

When the water temperature is lower than a turtle’s required body temperature, you will see an increase in their nap time.

See, at low temperatures, the metabolic process of the turtle slows down, and less energy is generated in their body. Hence, turtles tend to conserve energy. And the best way to do this is sleeping.

In terms of pet turtles, they are mostly kept in a tank with some water in it. If the water temperature is low, a rise in sleep time is expected in such an instance. The more they sleep, the less energy is drained.

2. Hibernation

Due to a season change, the turtle enters hibernation, especially in winter when the environmental temperature drops below 15°C. During this period, they sleep way longer than usual. That is almost every minute of a day.

Hibernation is a process to retain energy in the winter or colder season. This is a common phenomenon in different animals, such as the turtles. 

Now, in this state, the turtle lowers its body temperature to match the environment, reduces its heart rate, and sleeps most of the time. So, if you see your turtle sleeping so much during the colder season, 90% of the time, they are hibernating.

3. Stress or Illness

Extended sleep can mean that your turtle is ill. However, not all illnesses lead to so much sleep. But these following diseases can be the reason why a turtle is sleeping more.

• Vitamin Deficiency

Typically, when turtles suffer from necessary vitamin shortages such as A, B, and D, their metabolism is hindered.  As a result, they may show signs of not eating, lethargy, fatigue, and substance coming from the eyes. Therefore, you’ll see your turtle resting and sleeping more than it should.

The reason is they lack enough energy and vitality to stay active.

• Respiratory Infection

General discomfort and difficulty breathing can force a turtle to sleep more. This happens due to respiratory infections.

Bodily signs become visible when a turtle suffers from respiratory infections, such as excess mucus from the mouth. They can come out as bubbles from nose and eyes as well. Also, nasal discharge, appetite loss, and lethargy are other major symptoms.

See, an affected turtle becomes fatigued as its body works harder to overcome the infection. The excessive work within the body spends energy and leaves the turtle exhausted. As a result, they sleep so much more to restore and conserve energy.

• Shell Infection

When bacteria and parasites attack a turtle, it soon causes infection to the shell. Typically, these microorganisms invade due to cracks and wounds on the shell. Sometimes, the shell might turn white.

But anyway, such an infection not only compromises the movement but also leaves the reptile vulnerable to further infection. To get rid of the immense pain and restore the shell’s health, turtles decide to rest as much as possible.

This can be an explanation for why your turtle is sleeping so much.

4. Nocturnal Activity

Turtles, like many other animals, have adapted to circadian rhythms. This is why many turtle species are nocturnal, such as mud and common musk turtles. Meaning they are more active in the night than in the daylight.

Now, you may observe a turtle sleeping during the day. But there’s no need to panic. It’s probably because they remain active at night.

Too Much Sleep: Is My Turtle Sick?

If you notice your turtle is outgoing with cold sleep, obviously more than usual, eyebrows will definitely rise.

Is my turtle sick? This is the first question that will spring up in your mind.

You see, turtles are famous for their relaxed lifestyle. They are calm and quiet and love a serene environment. While turtles do need their fair share of rest in a day, an unusual increase in sleep time can indeed be indicative of underlying health issues.

Now, don’t just jump to the conclusion if you see your turtle sleeping excessively. Look for the following symptoms as well.

• Too much fatigue: You’ll notice the turtle does not even try to move a muscle in the tank.
• Loss of appetite: When you try to feed them, they barely eat anything.
• Labored breathing: You’ll notice your turtle has difficulty pulling air inside the body.
• Visible changes in shell color and condition: The shell color will become pale, and fungus may grow. This is a clear indication of shell infection.

If you detect any of the signs along with too much sleep, seek a veterinarian’s help. He will diagnose and treat your turtle accordingly.

What Is the Normal Sleep Pattern for a Turtle?

Like other animals, turtles also have a regular sleeping schedule except when they enter hibernation.

That said, sleep duration and time depend on different factors, such as species, age, and environmental conditions. Although turtles do not have a sleep schedule like mammals, they lead a restful life with a minimum of 4 hours to a maximum of 12 hours of sleep daily.

However, that is an assessment of the warmer seasons. In colder months, most of the turtle species hibernate to conserve energy.

For convenience, I’ve accumulated sleep information for renowned pet turtles. If you are versed in their normal sleeping pattern, it will save you from a lot of hassle and stress.

Let’s take a quick look:

Turtle Species	Sleep Duration	Sleep Time	Hibernation Season
Sea Turtles	11-12 hours/day	During the day	October- Early Spring
Western Painted Turtle	4 to 7 hours/day	Day/Night	October – March
Red Eared Turtle	4 to 7 hours/day	Night	Do not hibernate but brumate up to 14 weeks
Map Turtle	4 to 5 hours/day	Night	November – Early April
Musk Turtle	4 to 7 hours/day	Day	During winter months
Mud Turtle	4 to 7 hours/day	Day	September – May

How to Maintain a Healthy Sleeping Pattern for Pet Turtles?

For a healthy turtle, you should do everything to ensure proper sleep for your turtles. If they can’t sleep well, sooner or later, their health will deteriorate. 

So, what can you do as a turtle owner?

• Provide a proper habitat for your pet turtle. Put together an environment that imitates a natural ambiance. That should comprise a basking area, clean water, and lighting.
• Maintain an ideal temperature. A turtle’s ectothermic body regulates its internal temperature depending on its surroundings. Try to preserve 32-35℃.
• Enforce consistent lighting in the turtle’s enclosure, such as a tank. As your pet turtle is in captivity, produce day and night cycles.
• Take your turtle outside to expose it to enough UVB light. This will help the reptile remain healthy and retain a regular sleep schedule.
• Feed your pet turtle with a balanced diet following a consistent feeding schedule.

Note: If you are interested in buying a pet turtle and are confused about the price, check out our separate article on turtle buying costs.

Closing Thoughts

While turtles have unique patterns of snoozing and motion, significant changes in their sleep habits should always be taken seriously.

As a turtle caregiver, it’s natural to have concerns about their excessive sleep. And it’s an admirable attention, to say the least, for a turtle owner and a guardian of their well-being.