Hamilton's turtle is hibernating. When the temperature is below 15 degrees, Hamilton's turtle's metabolism drops sharply and enters semi-hibernation. But the turtle's hibernation really begins when the temperature is below 12 degrees.

Most Hamilton's turtles hibernate ashore, often a few Turtles gather together, hide in the sand, caves or haystacks, do not eat, do not eat, breathe slowly, have a slow heart rate, tuck their limbs and heads into their shells, and rely entirely on nutrients in their bodies to sustain life.