Habitat

[Net net turds]

we live in NorCal, sacramento county. We’ve had our 2 female California desert tortoises since they were just little hatchlings, they’re now 7. We just recently, at the beginning of summer, put them outside in a habitat I built. They did very well outside, with temperatures above 100° at times, we provide shade, as well as a soak every now and then. But now we’re headed into winter, so I’m not sure about leaving them outside. I just wanted to get recommendations from people who have their California desert tortoises outside. Thank you.

 

[Yvonne G]

In my opinion, unless you live where the climate matches the climate where your species of tortoise occurs naturally in the wild, they should not be brumated outside.

Here in Clovis, two hours south of you, my desert tortoises brumate in an insulated cinderblock shelter on the carport. I have a rubber horsestall mat on the floor onto which I spread many thickness of newspaper. Once the tortoises are in there I fill it up to the ceiling with non toxic leaves.

The two most important things are don't allow them to get wet, and make sure it stays above freezing. Rain doesn't reach the shelter on my carport, and with the insulation and all the leaves they never get below about 43°F or so.

 

[Net net turds]

In my opinion, unless you live where the climate matches the climate where your species of tortoise occurs naturally in the wild, they should not be brumated outside.

Here in Clovis, two hours south of you, my desert tortoises brumate in an insulated cinderblock shelter on the carport. I have a rubber horsestall mat on the floor onto which I spread many thickness of newspaper. Once the tortoises are in there I fill it up to the ceiling with non toxic leaves.

The two most important things are don't allow them to get wet, and make sure it stays above freezing. Rain doesn't reach the shelter on my carport, and with the insulation and all the leaves they never get below about 43°F or so.

How long will they hibernate? Since mine have been indoors for all these years, they slow down, but I would usually wake them to feed them. They would feed, but not very enthusiastically. Also, can they go with our water and food their entire hibernation period? Thank you.

 

[Yvonne G]

They slow down eating and eventually stop altogether. They need to empty out their digestive tract before they get too cold. Food left inside will rot, so they need to be empty. I stop offering food when I see they're not eating good. By the end of October they should be ready to brumate, then they stay quiet until the nights are consistently 50°F or above, that's when they syart moving around and becoming restless - maybe sometime in March?? Just watch the night time temp for 50°F or above consistently