No matter the age of your sulcata tortoise, heat is very important. So it’s important to take colder weather seriously, especially if you have a baby or young sulcata. Smaller tortoises are more susceptible to colder temperatures than adult tortoises.
Adult sulcata tortoises can survive outdoor temperatures as low as 45-degrees Fahrenheit. But that doesn’t meant the tortoise will thrive in repeated low temperatures.
Baby sulcata tortoises should not be outside for long periods of time if the weather is below 60-degrees Fahrenheit.
Will My Sulcata Survive a Night Outside Below Freezing Weather?
If the weather is below freezing and you have an heated outdoor house for your sulcata, then your tortoise will be safer than if you do not have any source of heat.
One night or even two nights without an heat source will most likely be ok, but you want to do your best to providing heat to a sulcata tortoise long term. You do not want to leave a sulcata outside all winter long if the weather is going to remain below freezing.
Do Sulcatas Hibernate?
Since sulcata tortoises do not hibernate, you do not want to keep them for extended periods of time in below freezing weather. If you can not bring your tortoise inside, build or purchase an insulated outdoor house to keep your tortoise warm.
In cold temperatures, sulcatas will slow. Their appetites will reduce. They may even appear to hibernate because they are not active, BUT sulcatas do not hibernate.
In order to keep your sulcata healthy during winter, t is important that if your outdoor temperatures are in the 20’s, you have an alternate source of heat to keep your tortoise warm.
