Cardiovascular and Other Physiological Correlates of Hibernation in Aquatic and Terrestrial Turtles

Recent research has provided new insight into the physiologyof hibernation in freshwater, marine, and terrestrial turtles.In this paper I review what is known about the mechanisms thatpermit the hearts of these turtles to withstand several monthsof hypoxia or anoxia. I also report new research that indicatesthat a terrestrial turtle, unlike freshwater and marine species,does not experience hypoxia in its winter burrow and thus doesnot rely on glycolysis to supply ATP, at least under moderatewinter conditions.