Turtles are semi-aquatic reptile animals that stay underwater, as well as, on land.Mostly, turtles sleep or remain submerged and come up for air to breathe by lifting their heads up. The water temperature also plays a significant role in the deep sleep of the turtle.The very first thing you might be wondering would be how it is possible for the turtle species to sleep underwater with such heavy bodies? Would they be sleeping by floating in the shallow water? Or do they come up to the air or water surface to breathe in air? Well, all of the above points are valid to be wondered about. Turtle species such as freshwater turtles, snapping turtles, mud turtles, sea turtles, map turtles, musk turtles, red-eared sliders, painted turtles, and box turtles are able to adjust themselves to the environment they live in due to their semi-aquatic lifestyle. Human beings need a base or surface to sleep on, and so do turtles. If you own a pet turtle, then you must have noticed that the pet turtles sleep at the bottom or surface of the tank they are kept in, while land turtles are known to sleep in their mud burrows. Pet turtles hibernate and go into a deep sleep, settling themselves down on the tank surface. During the winter season, when the turtles brumate, they can even survive underwater in the water temperature according to their body because they are cold-blooded animals and sleeping is consecutively evident due to slow metabolic rate and less oxygen. During their stay underwater, turtles breathe using their cloaca, and the breathing process is called cloaca respiration.The water temperature is generally assumed to be normal compared to the air temperature outside in the air. So, even land turtles sleep in the mud burrows. During the normal summer season, the turtles can sleep for four to five hours at the bottom of the sea, pond, or river. If they feel a lack of oxygen or less oxygen in the water, they come up to the water surface to breathe air through their lungs. However, the same process differs for water turtles or marine turtles during the winter season when they brumate. During that time, they breathe underwater and even require less oxygen due to the slow metabolic process. The turtle’s metabolic rate increases with a decrease in cold temperature. They require a warm temperature to survive. Only when the turtles are trapped underwater, then they will sink into the water. Otherwise, sleeping turtles will never sink into the water or to the bottom of the tank. Several land turtle species and land tortoises will sleep under rocks, mud burrows, and hidden areas created by human beings. The natural habitat encourages the turtles to sleep underwater, as well as, on land for 16-18 hours a day. The same would also be evident in the case of your pet turtles. A turtle’s sleep is as precious to them similar to humans.If you enjoy reading this article about turtles’ sleep and turtles breathing air when they come to the surface, then do read some other interesting and surprising fun facts article about whether turtles shed and if turtles make noise.Do aquatic turtles sleep underwater?Yes, aquatic turtles sleep underwater and are both nocturnal as well as diurnal by their behavior. Some turtle species are believed to live underwater for around 100 days during brumation in the winter.When freshwater turtles or sea turtles are sleeping, most of their body parts slow down in their process and they become less active. If you own a pet turtle, then you might have observed or experienced that the turtle species, if remaining active during the daytime for 10-12 hours, then need rest for the same time.Sea turtles are well known and famous for their unique behavior of holding their breath while they sleep. This holding of breath can last for four to eight hours. The sea turtles mostly come up to the water surface to breathe the air because they would not be able to survive underwater without oxygen. At the same time, during the winter season’s deep long sleep of approximately 100 days, these sea turtles will survive without coming to the surface.This is because their metabolic processes slow down. In the summer season, the survival of turtles is totally different. The map turtles will sleep during the night, and hence, are diurnal aquatic turtles. The map turtles are similar to sea turtles, while the painted turtles are known to breathe underwater using their cloaca and can also be found sleeping in mud burrows similar to those of box turtles.Painted turtle species are different from map turtle species on the basis of many habits, including their sleeping habits. The red-eared slider turtle’s underwater sleeping pattern is observed during the night time and they use their inflated throat to sleep on the bottom of the tank or to sleep floating in the water. So, now you must have been acquainted with the fact that turtles can sleep underwater for a limited time period.How do sea turtles sleep underwater?Sea turtles just need a few seconds to breathe air and then swim down into the shallow water to sleep near the sea bottom or coral reef.Sea turtles are one such type of turtle species that consists of many of the largest turtle species, such as leatherback sea turtles. They mostly cover the subtropical and tropical range of water throughout the world. The jaws of the sea turtles are similar to those of map turtles in that they have a beak-like mouth to prey on food.Sea turtles can sleep underwater for around four to eight hours and the number of hours might vary. Sea turtles are good swimmers along with one of the smart predators such as leatherback sea turtles feeding on jellyfish. Generally, the sea turtles float or hang themselves near or above the coral reef or seagrass beds so that they can take their naps and sleep according to their needs. For example, green sea turtle species are known to sleep during the day for around 11 hours, which is almost half of the day. The sea turtles come to the surface to breathe through their lungs, and after quick breathing, swim down to their own natural habitat. The metabolic rate of the sea turtles decreases, which further enables them to use the oxygen according to the requirements.Sea turtles remain submerged for many hours because they quench their need to breathe once coming to the water surface. Sea turtles, unlike map turtles, are known to hold their breath for several hours with a nine-minute pause between each heartbeat. Freshwater turtle species can be found sleeping in mud or land burrows, including aquatic turtles such as map turtles. Although map turtles can sleep on land, as well as, underwater, snapping turtles are known to either submerge themselves in the water or logs near the accumulated waste near marshy areas. Terrapins such as the red-eared slider can sleep underwater. Even pet turtles can also be seen sleeping at the bottom of the tank.How long do turtles sleep in a day?The turtle’s sleep hours vary among each of its species. It varies from 1-12 hours a day depending on what kind of environment they are living in, along with its climate and temperature.Most aquatic turtles, in general, need four to seven hours of sleep, while those living on land need more time to sleep, such as somewhere between 10-12 hours. Even baby turtles are known to sleep more in comparison to adult turtles. It is not a compulsion that if a turtle is less active, then it is sleeping. It can also be possible that they have their own rest time.So, even their resting time is often confused with them sleeping. It is believed that even if you wake them when they are not active, these turtles will fall asleep. In the wild, turtles mostly go through long sleep periods, but in captivity, they mostly spend their time resting and sleeping because they are provided with favorable climatic conditions. Turtles sleep with their eyes closed.Even while taking a nap, they will close their eyes. Sea turtles sleep for around 11 hours, and those hours might vary from four to eight. Sliders are known to sleep for three to seven hours, which can even extend up to 12 hours. When it comes to the map turtle species, the time taken to sleep is four to seven or eight hours.Many who have map turtle species kept as pets complain about them sleeping all the time. However, if you notice the turtle is oversleeping, you must consult a veterinarian. The change in water temperature, such as low water temperature, can slow down the metabolic rate of the map turtle species. However, this is not specific to them, but other turtle species also.How to tell if your turtle is dying?Lack of appetite, being lethargic, skin problems, discharge, and bubbling are some of the indications that your turtle might be in trouble or suffering from some health problem.Apart from the above breathing problems, swimming problems along with frequent production of feces are also observed in the turtle species. During the brumation period, if the turtle’s legs are limp and hanging or swinging, then it might be possible that the turtle might have died. However, all the possible reasons could be must also be known to the owner. One must take care of a pet turtle like it is their own family member.If the living conditions of the turtle are not good, such as too cold climatic conditions or overheating, then the turtle might not be able to adjust. Even overfeeding can cause them to suffer. So, always be alert and attentive towards your pet turtle, whether it is about their sleep pattern or shedding. Anything in excess or insufficient quantity can be lethal to the turtle species. As a result, it is important for you to look for certain signs that may indicate a turtle’s ill health so that you might save the turtle’s life.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for whether turtles sleep underwater, then why not take a look at if Earth is round or 11 amazing Shoemaker-Levy 9 facts for curious kids?
Turtles are semi-aquatic reptile animals that stay underwater, as well as, on land.
