RES Hibernation

Question
I have a female RES about ten inches long.  She lives in an outdoor habitat (a slowrunning creek with a bridge she can hide and sleep under)in SoCal.  I cannot find any mention of this behavior but she spent the entire winter (Nov to April) in a shallow burrow out of the water.  I eventually built a little straw hut around her and now that Spring has come she's out, eating, healthy and apparently no worse for the wear.  On cooler nights she likes to return to this little dry hovel to sleep.  Is this normal?  Again, I can find no mention of this behavior...  Thanks.

Answer
RES in general do not like moving water, which might also be rather cool for the turtle.

The hibernation MIGHT have been a response to the cool water and no good underwater mud to hide in.

I am just guessing here- I have not seen such behaviors myself.

You can try the folks at http://www.turtleforum.com for ideas.