Hello,

I am in urgent need for someone with experience and expertise in ponds for RES! Also, and most importantly, as these turtles are NOT native to Pennsylvania, does anyone know if they can survive the winters here???

I replied to your question since you also sent it by e-mail. I said,

"I myself years back thought they would not overwinter here in MD but I have since heard from various pond owners with turtles who have overwintered them in MD, PA, NJ, and NY. RES's should be able to overwinter in your pond provided it is deep enough, and a hole in the ice is maintained; I suggest 3 feet deep or even more....There is probably a turtle club in PA but I can't find one right now. He's the Mid-Atlantic turtle group which may or may not serve your area:
http://www.matts-turtles.org/ "

For others, my turtle pond page is at http://www.fishpondinfo.com/turtles/turpond.htm and my overwintering page is at http://www.fishpondinfo.com/winter.htm