As Arizona nights dip into the 40s and 50s, many desert tortoise owners start talking about hibernation season. But not every tortoise gets to snooze through the winter. In fact, for several popular pet species, hibernation can be deadly. These tropical and subtropical tortoises depend on heated shelters to survive, and stay healthy, through the colder months.
At Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center in Phoenix, veterinarians see a surge of cases each winter involving chilled, lethargic tortoises that should never have been allowed to cool down. “It’s one of the biggest misunderstandings in tortoise care,” says Dr. Heather Bjornebo, owner and exotic animal veterinarian. “People assume all tortoises hibernate, but species like Sulcatas and Leopards absolutely do not. They need warmth year round to digest food and keep their immune systems functioning.”
Species that do not hibernate include the African spurred (Sulcata) tortoise, Leopard tortoise, Red footed tortoise, and Yellow footed tortoise. These animals come from regions where temperatures stay warm throughout the year, and their bodies aren’t built to withstand extended cold. When exposed to chilly nights, their metabolism slows, their immune systems weaken, and respiratory infections can set in quickly.
That’s where heated shelters come in. A properly designed tortoise shelter, insulated, weatherproof, and fitted with a thermostatically controlled heat source, can be the difference between a thriving pet and a medical emergency. The goal is to keep interior temperatures steady, ideally above 70°F, even when the outside air dips. Some owners opt for radiant heat panels or ceramic emitters combined with thermostats to prevent overheating. The shelter should also be dry and draft free, since dampness magnifies the effects of cold and can lead to shell rot or fungal infections.
Tree of Life’s tortoise care recommendations emphasize that outdoor tortoises should never rely solely on a heat lamp or a blanket thrown over a doghouse. Proper electrical safety, insulation, and placement are essential. “A heat bulb in a metal shed isn’t enough,” Bjornebo explains. “The structure itself has to trap warmth efficiently and allow the tortoise to move between warmer and cooler zones. They still need to thermoregulate, it just has to be within a safe range.”
For Arizonans with non hibernating tortoises, this means monitoring nighttime lows closely from late fall through early spring. Once the mercury starts dropping below 65°F, it’s time to switch on that shelter heat or bring your tortoise indoors.
To learn more about proper heating setups, recommended temperature ranges, and species specific guidance, visit Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center’s Heated Shelter Recommendations.
Because for some tortoises, winter isn’t nap time, it’s a season to stay warm, dry, and very much awake.
Leave a Reply