Have you ever noticed your sulcata slowing down or becoming less active during the winter months? She no longer even wants to nibble on her collard greens.
Now, hibernation might be the first thing that pops into your mind. It does fit the situation, after all. But do sulcata tortoises even hibernate?
The short answer is no. Unlike other species, these larger tortoises don’t hibernate no matter how cold it gets outside.
If your sulcata looks like she’s hibernating, odds are, she’s struggling with the poor conditions in her environment. Letting her body temperature and activity level drop too much can put your pet’s health in jeopardy!
Read on to find out what you should be doing instead.
Aestivation vs. Hibernation: What Do Sulcatas Do?
As a tortoise owner, it’s crucial to understand that sulcata tortoises, native to the Sahel region of the African Sahara desert, don’t hibernate. Instead, they engage in a process called aestivation.
Without digging deep into the jargon, let’s just say that aestivation is the opposite of hibernation.
While hibernation is a period of inactivity during cold months, aestivation is a state of dormancy that helps the tortoises survive scorching desert heat.
During the hottest part of the day, the wild tortoises (most active at dawn and dusk) retreat to the ground in burrows they’ve dug.
That’s one way to adapt to their environment, but it’s definitely not hibernation.
Your Sulcata Isn’t in a Winter Hibernation Period… She’s in Danger!
Sulcatas may show some cold tolerance by hiding in burrows. So, some new pet parents could mistake this for hibernation. However, this behavior can be hazardous and shouldn’t be encouraged.
After all, these reptiles can’t survive cold weather for extended periods of time. Keep in mind that your pet might not drink or go foraging for food while “hiding.” This fasting period is a recipe for a disaster, especially for baby tortoises.
Has your tortoise been hiding for days without water or food? You might want to bring her out, try to warm her, and contact a reptilian vet as soon as possible!
Caring for Sulcata Tortoises During Cooler Months
So, you can’t make your sulcata hibernate like you would with many other species of tortoise. It’s just not physically possible.
But what else should you do? Where can you keep a 100-pound tortoise during the winter months?
Well, here are a few options and popular methods to consider:
1. Keep the Pen Nice and Warm
Maybe it’s still not too cold to change the housing situation altogether. But at least you can make sure the pen is getting enough direct sunlight. The soil base will absorb heat from the sun, helping to keep your tortoise warm during the day.
You might have to move the fencing around, change the pen location slightly, and remove any canopies in your garden that are blocking the natural sunlight.
2. Build a Heated Shelter
As temperatures drop, a heated house becomes essential. Ground burrows will no longer keep your pet safe from temperature changes.
Some folks use wood or plastic dog houses with a heating element. But many others prefer making night boxes using shed kits or any type of box. Of course, you can also do it from scratch.
Either way, the rule of thumb here is that the shelter should be equipped with a lamp and a heating pad to maintain a temperature of at least 55-60°F (or better yet, 70°F) at night.
That said, we recommend keeping the pad on one side of the hide box. This way, you’ll create a temperature gradient, and your tortoise can move to a cooler area if needed.
And don’t forget about humidity and ventilation. Use a thermostat and hygrometer in the outdoor shelter. You can also add a layer of non-toxic insulation material to the walls and roof of the night box to help retain heat.
Then, set flaps on the door to keep the humidity inside.
3. Shift to an Indoor Housing Setup
If outdoor temperatures drop significantly, the box method might not cut it. Bringing your outdoor tortoise inside may be your only option. That’s admittedly inconvenient for most of us. Those guys and gals are huge!
However, if it comes to this, consider creating a separate indoor enclosure (or a tortoise table) with a holding pen in your basement or garage. You’ll likely need UVB lights, though.
The tortoises can get back to their outdoor housing when warmer weather rolls in.
Golden Tips for the Winter Months
It doesn’t matter where you’ll house your sulcata.
You still need to monitor your pet closely. We’d recommend doing regular health checks and looking for signs of illness or discomfort regularly. Just doing it without too much handling. Handling can stress them out and make the winter period even more uncomfortable.
Obviously, water and food are critical as well. Double-check that your pets have access to a clean water dish at all times and maintain a balanced diet.
Know Your Tortoise Species
Sculatas aren’t the only non-hibernating species, either.
Many species that should not be hibernated, including:
- Leopard tropical tortoises
- Southern Turkish spur thighs
- Egyptian tortoises
- Red-footed tortoise
- Yellow-footed tortoise
On the other hand, some species that can enjoy a successful hibernation are:
- Mediterranean tortoises
- Horsfield tortoises
- Desert tortoises
Health Concerns
Just because a tortoise belongs to a hibernating species doesn’t mean it’s always up for a long winter sleep. Only a healthy tortoise can safely hibernate. So, if you have an underweight tortoise, it’s generally not recommended to hibernate her.
Before deciding to hibernate your tortoise, it’s essential to consult with a veterinarian. They can evaluate the health issues and provide hibernation advice based on your sick tortoise’s needs.
Wrapping Up
To recap, the whole hibernation theory is a common misconception. Your sulcatas need to be kept warm during the harsh winter months—their lives depend on it.
Still have questions about the third largest tortoise species in the world? Check out our in-depth sulcata tortoise care guide!
