How To Take Care Of Sulcata Tortoise In Winter?

Imagine being a creature built for the scorching heat of Africa, only to find yourself facing a winter chill.

That’s your sulcata tortoise when temperatures drop!

Since these guys don’t come with a built-in space heater, it’s up to us to keep them warm, healthy, and happy.

Let’s talk about the best ways to do just that—without turning your home into a desert.

understanding the needs of sulcata tortoises

Sulcata tortoises are not built for cold weather. They come from the hot, dry regions of Africa, where winter barely exists. So when the temperature drops, they struggle.

I learned this the hard way with my own Sulcata, Tank. One chilly night, I thought he’d be fine in his outdoor enclosure. The next morning, he was sluggish and barely eating. Lesson learned—these tortoises need warmth, always.

Why Cold is a Problem

Cold temperatures can cause:

• Sluggish behavior
• Loss of appetite
• Respiratory infections
• Digestive issues

If it drops below 50°F (10°C), your Sulcata needs a warm indoor space.

Do Sulcatas Hibernate?

Nope! Unlike some other tortoises, Sulcatas do not hibernate. If they get too cold, they don’t go into a safe sleep—they get sick.

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Ideal Temperature Range

Area	Temperature
Basking Spot	95-100°F (35-38°C)
Ambient Temp	75-85°F (24-29°C)
Nighttime	No lower than 60°F (15°C)

Keeping your Sulcata warm is the most important part of winter care. Get this right, and you’re already winning.

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Indoor Sulcata Tortoise Setup for Winter

Bringing your Sulcata tortoise indoors for winter? Get ready for some rearranging. These guys are big, messy, and love to bulldoze through anything in their way.

I learned this the hard way when my tortoise, Tank, decided my bookshelf wasn’t a real obstacle. Spoiler: It was not.

The Right Enclosure

Sulcatas need space, even indoors. A small box won’t cut it.

Best options:

• Large tortoise table
• Kiddie pool
• DIY wooden enclosure
• A whole room (if you dare)

If your tortoise is still small, a large plastic tub works. But adults? You’ll need a serious setup.

Substrate (Flooring)

You want something that holds moisture but won’t mold.

Good choices:

• Coconut coir
• Cypress mulch
• Soil (without fertilizers)

Avoid sand—it’s messy and can cause impaction if eaten.

Heating & Lighting

Sulcatas are sun lovers. Indoors, you need to replace that sunshine.

Need	Ideal Range	Best Option
Basking Spot	95-100°F	Heat lamp
Ambient Temp	75-85°F	Ceramic heat emitter
Night Temp	65°F+	Radiant heat panel
UVB Light	12-14 hrs/day	Mercury vapor bulb

I once skipped the UVB light for a week, thinking it wasn’t a big deal. My tortoise got sluggish and stopped eating. Lesson learned.

Hideout & Enrichment

Tortoises love a cozy hide. Give them a warm and a cool spot.

Good hide options:

• Half logs
• Plastic tubs with an entrance cut out
• Cardboard boxes (replace often)

Add some rocks or logs for enrichment. It keeps them from getting bored. Yes, tortoises get bored.

Food & Water

Same diet, but watch hydration! The dry air indoors can dehydrate them fast.

Must-haves:

• Fresh hay and greens daily
• A shallow water dish (heavy, so they don’t flip it)
• Calcium supplement
• Weekly warm soaks (or more often for young ones)

I skipped a soak once, and my tortoise pouted in his hide all day. Dramatic? Yes. But also dehydrated.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Sulcatas poop. A lot. Indoors, that means daily cleaning.

Daily:

• Spot-clean poop and uneaten food
• Refill water dish

Weekly:

• Change substrate if needed
• Wipe down enclosure

Trust me, a clean enclosure smells way better.

An indoor setup isn’t just for winter—it’s survival. Keep them warm, well-fed, and hydrated, and they’ll be just fine.

And maybe, just maybe, keep them away from bookshelves.

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Heating and Lighting for Sulcata Tortoises

Sulcata tortoises love the heat. They come from the dry, hot regions of Africa. Winter is not their friend! If you don’t keep them warm, they get sluggish, sick, or worse.

I learned this the hard way when my Sulcata, Tank, refused to eat one winter. Turns out, his enclosure was too cold. Lesson learned!

Basking Spot: Their Personal Sun

Sulcatas need a warm basking area, just like they get from the sun.

• Keep the basking spot 95-100°F (35-38°C)
• Use a heat lamp with a strong reflector
• Position it over a flat rock to absorb heat

Tank loves his basking spot. He sits there for hours, soaking in the warmth like a lazy beachgoer.

Ambient Temperature: No Chilly Nights

Even when they’re not basking, Sulcatas need warmth.

Area	Temperature
Basking Spot	95-100°F
Warm Side	85°F
Cool Side	75°F
Nighttime Min	60-70°F

At night, I use a ceramic heat emitter. No light, just warmth. It keeps Tank cozy without disturbing his sleep.

UVB Light: Fake Sun, Real Benefits

Sulcatas need UVB rays to process calcium. Without it, their shells get weak.

• 12-14 hours of UVB daily
• Long tube UVB bulbs are better than compact ones
• Replace bulbs every 6-12 months, even if they still glow

I made the mistake of using a weak UVB bulb once. Tank’s shell started looking bumpy. A stronger bulb fixed that fast.

Outdoor Heating: If They Stay Outside

If your Sulcata is in an outdoor enclosure, they need a heated shelter.

• Radiant heat panels work well
• Pig blankets (heated pads) keep their belly warm
• Straw or hay helps insulate, but clean it often

I tried using just hay once. Bad idea. Tank burrowed into it, but the temperature still dropped too low. Now, I always have a heat source.

Always monitor temperatures with digital thermometers. One in the basking spot, one in the hide, and one in the cool zone.

Keeping a Sulcata warm isn’t hard, but it takes consistency. Trust me, your tortoise will thank you—with a happy little shell wiggle.

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Outdoor sulcata tortoise Care in Winter (If Necessary)

Some tortoise owners prefer keeping their Sulcatas outside year-round. If that’s you, make sure they have a warm and safe space. Cold can be dangerous for them, so planning ahead is key.

Build a Cozy Shelter

Your tortoise needs a heated, insulated space to survive the cold. A basic doghouse won’t cut it.

What to include in their shelter:

• Thick walls – Wood, concrete, or heavy-duty plastic works best
• A secure roof – Keeps in warmth and keeps out predators
• A door flap – Helps trap heat inside
• Straw or hay bedding – Keeps them warm but needs frequent replacing

I once tried using blankets. Big mistake. My Sulcata just bulldozed them into a corner and ignored them.

Keep It Warm

Tortoises don’t generate their own body heat. You have to provide warmth.

Heat Source	Pros	Cons
Radiant heat panels	Safe, reliable	Can be pricey
Ceramic heat emitters	No light, just heat	Needs proper setup
Pig blankets (heated pads)	Keeps the floor warm	Must be placed safely
Heat lamps	Cheap and easy	Fire risk if not used properly

I use a radiant heat panel in my tortoise’s shelter. It keeps the space warm without the fire risk of bulbs.

Monitor the Temperature

Cold snaps can come out of nowhere. Always keep a thermometer inside the shelter.

• Ideal shelter temp: 60°F (15°C) or higher
• Basking spot temp: 95°F (35°C)
• Use a thermostat to prevent overheating

I check my setup every night. One time, my heater failed, and my tortoise was not happy in the morning. Lesson learned—always have a backup!

Should You Bring Them Inside?

If temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C) and their shelter can’t stay warm, bring them inside. A cold tortoise is a sick tortoise.

Trust me, moving a 50+ pound tortoise is no joke. Plan ahead before winter hits!

Proper Sulcata Tortoise Diet in Winter

Feeding a Sulcata in winter is all about keeping it natural and staying on track with their high-fiber diet. They don’t hibernate, so they still need plenty of food. But colder months mean less access to fresh grass, which is their main food source.

I remember my first winter with my Sulcata, and I panicked when the grass in my yard died. But after some research (and a bit of trial and error), I figured out a solid winter diet plan.

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What to Feed in Winter

Since they can’t graze like they do in summer, you have to replace their natural food with healthy alternatives.

Best Winter Foods:

• Grass Hay – Timothy, orchard, or Bermuda hay is the best substitute for fresh grass.
• Leafy Greens – Collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, and dandelion greens.
• Cactus Pads (Opuntia) – Great source of fiber and hydration.
• Weeds (If Available) – Plantain leaves, mallow, or clover if you can find them.

Occasional Treats (Once a Week):

• Pumpkin or squash
• Carrot tops
• Hibiscus flowers and leaves

Foods to Avoid:

• Fruits (too much sugar)
• Lettuce (low nutrition)
• High-protein foods like dog or cat food (bad for their kidneys)

Calcium and Supplements

Sulcatas need calcium for strong shells. In winter, when they get less sunlight, this is even more important.

• Calcium Powder – Lightly sprinkle on food 2-3 times a week.
• Cuttlebone – Leave one in their enclosure for them to nibble on.
• Vitamin D3 Supplement – Only needed if they don’t get enough UVB light indoors.

Hydration Matters

Cold weather can make tortoises drink less, but they still need water.

• Always provide fresh water in a shallow dish.
• Soak them 3-4 times a week (especially young tortoises) to prevent dehydration.
• Adding cactus pads to their diet helps with hydration.

I learned this the hard way when my Sulcata got sluggish one winter. Turns out, he wasn’t drinking enough. After adding more soaks and cactus, he perked right up.

Simple Winter Feeding Schedule

Time of Day	Food & Care
Morning	Fresh hay + a mix of leafy greens
Afternoon	Optional snack (cactus pad or hibiscus)
Evening	Quick soak (3-4x a week) + check water dish

Winter feeding is easy once you get the hang of it. Keep their meals high in fiber, don’t overdo the treats, and make sure they stay hydrated. If you do that, your Sulcata will stay happy, healthy, and ready for spring!

Monitoring Sulcata Tortoise Health

Keeping an eye on your Sulcata’s health is super important. These guys won’t bark or meow when something’s wrong. They just… slow down.

I’ve learned the hard way that small issues can turn into big problems if you miss the signs. So, here’s what to watch for.

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Signs of a Healthy Sulcata

A happy, healthy Sulcata will:

• Eat like a tiny, walking lawnmower
• Poop regularly (yes, you should check)
• Move around without looking sluggish
• Have clear, bright eyes
• Breathe without weird noises

If your tortoise is doing all this, you’re on the right track.

Red Flags to Watch For

If you notice any of these, something’s off:

Symptom	Possible Issue	What to Do
Runny nose, wheezing	Respiratory infection	Check temps, see a vet
Sunken eyes, dry skin	Dehydration	Increase soaking & humidity
Soft shell, weak legs	Calcium deficiency	Add calcium & UVB light
Not eating, no energy	Could be many things	Monitor closely, check temps
Unusual poop (runny or none at all)	Diet issue or parasites	Adjust diet, see a vet if needed

My Experience with a Sick Sulcata

One winter, my tortoise stopped eating. I freaked out. Turns out, his enclosure was too cold. A simple heat lamp fix, and he was back to munching in no time. Lesson learned—always check the temps first.

Weekly Health Check Routine

• Weigh Them: A sudden drop = bad news
• Look at Their Eyes & Nose: Should be clear, not runny
• Watch Them Walk: No dragging legs or wobbling
• Feel Their Shell: Hard = good, soft = not good
• Check Their Poop: Weird changes? Time to investigate

When to See a Vet

If you’re unsure, it’s always better to ask a reptile vet. Quick action can save your tortoise from serious problems.

A little extra attention goes a long way. Stay observant, and your Sulcata will thrive!