Sulcata tortoises are tolerant to some heat, but if you live in an area with extreme heat, you will want to make accomodations to keep your sulcata from overheating. Luckily, there are many things you can to do keep a sulcata cool in the hot summer months.
Edible Landscaping Provides Shade
When landscaping your outdoor tortoise enclosure, yard or overall tortoise space, plant plenty bushes and trees that can provide shade. Plant things that are also safe for your sulcata if he decides he wants a snack.
- Pampas grass
- Rose bushes
- Hostas
- Hibiscus trees and bushes
- Mimosa (Desmantus illinoensis)
- Mulberry trees
- Muhly (Sporobolus asperifolius)
- Forsythia (Oleaceae)
- Tumbleweed – Russian thistle
- Willow tree (Salicaccae family)
Burrow or House
Similar to chosing your landscaping carefully, make sure to provide at least one house. Your tortoise may create its own burrow to cool off in the hot weather, but you can make a burrow that’s safe.
Or provide an insulated house. The insulation will help keep the inside of the house cooler than the outside weather.
Water
Provide water! Water is very important to keep your tortoise hydrated. Water can not only cool off your tortoise, but it can prevent health issues related to the kidneys.
Use a large water dish for an adult sulcata, like a kiddie pool or a heavy-dutY, wide base water dish from Tortoise Supply.
OR build a water bowl for your sulcata like Kampe Kenan did in the video below.
Prevent Overheating in Sulcatas
It’s important to prevent overheating in sulcatas. By following the above steps, you should be able to provide spaces for your tortoise to regulate its temperature. At least one large water dish will provide a place for soaking and cooling off, as well.
Overheating can be dangerous and deadly. If you live in an area that experiencese overly hot temperatures during the summer, keep an eye on your tortoise and watch for signs of overheating.
