The alligator snapping turtles come from warm areas in the United States, where the temperatures don't drop below zero. Keeping the water warm for people in such areas is not a problem, but anyone else should invest in a water heater.

The best water heater is a submersible heater with a thermostat. It will keep the temperatures at the set level, which for the alligator snapping turtles should be at 23 to 25 degrees Celsius ( 70 - 80 Fahrengheit ).

To double check and make sure that the heater is working properly, there should be an independent thermometer in every tank with a water turtle.

A word of caution: enyone planning on taking the turtles out to the backyard in the summer should never place the tank in direct sunlight ! The water will become very hot in a matter of minutes and basically boil the turtle to death. When setting the tank outdoors, a large area of it should be always in shade.

Last word, just to clarify - the alligator snapping turtles don't hibernate. Always keep them warm, just like in mother nature.