Do turtles sleep completely inside their shell?

Answer 1

Yes and no. Yes, because their shells are attached to their bodies(the shell is partly made up by the turtle's backbone), and if it were removed, the turtle would die. However, the turtles do not use their shells as shelter. There are several different habitats for turtles, depending on what type they are. For example, the snapping turtle and the painted turtle both like aquatic environments. The Box turtle likes a more dry environment, and the list goes on.

Answer 2

Apparently, if they are kept indoors in a warmer temperature over winter, they do not need to hibernate.

If a tortoise is unwell they shouldn't be hibernated. So no they don't HAVE to hibernate but if you want to keep their lives as natural as possible you should let them hibernate as long as they don't have any medical conditions. Research should be done before hibernation to establish what food requirements may be needed.

Answer 3

No, some turtles leave their head and tail out of the shell

Answer 4

They sleep in there shells.