What to do with red sliders in the winter

[Khrysty]

A lady I work with is really worried about her sliders this coming winter. They live in her pond in the back yard, which she usually heats for winter. But she wants to cool them this year so they can have a proper hibernation (she said hibernation, anyway...but do turtles brumate instead?). I don't know much about them, so I couldn't really give her advice but I said I'd ask. I think it's best to just leave them be and let them slow down naturally outside as the weather cools instead of trying to bring them inside and cool them herself, but if you guys with more experience have better advice I'm open to hearing it. I just want to give her the information she needs.

 

[T-ReXx]

If there's a thick layer of mud/debris on the bottom of the pond I'd just leave them and they'll do there thing. They will bury themselves in the mud.

 

[goReptiles]

Depending on how cold it gets, she may need to heat the pool at least a little, but for the most part, they should do fine and hibernate naturally at the bottom.