Sulcata brumate ??

[Celiagg]

Hello again!
I’ve read sulcatas do not brumate. Is this true? I have found mine to be burrowing quite a bit but he also is active, eating well, and hydrated. I’m changing my hydrometer to a new one as maybe this isn’t working but i hope the temp in his enclosure is within limits for him. Any ideas or thoughts if they brumate.
Thanks

 

[KarenSoCal]

Hello again!
I’ve read sulcatas do not brumate. Is this true? I have found mine to be burrowing quite a bit but he also is active, eating well, and hydrated. I’m changing my hydrometer to a new one as maybe this isn’t working but i hope the temp in his enclosure is within limits for him. Any ideas or thoughts if they brumate.
Thanks

Hi! Sulcatas do not brumate. Even in very cold climates with snow on the ground, they're out and about.

This is one of the reasons that they require a heated night box.

 

[Tom]

Hello again!
I’ve read sulcatas do not brumate. Is this true? I have found mine to be burrowing quite a bit but he also is active, eating well, and hydrated. I’m changing my hydrometer to a new one as maybe this isn’t working but i hope the temp in his enclosure is within limits for him. Any ideas or thoughts if they brumate.
Thanks

They do not brumate. They must be kept warm all year long with a heated and well insulated shelter.

At this time of year you have to stop them from burrowing and keep them above ground and make them sleep in their heated night box.

Here is an example:

Single Tortoise Night Box

I like my larger tortoises to live outside full time. My climate permits this year round with a little help. For people who live where it snows all winter, this type of box is still good for warmer weather, getting them out earlier in Spring, and keeping them out a bit later into fall. You'll...

tortoiseforum.org