Giant tortoises basking under heat lamps in a zoo enclosure.

Zoo Heats Up: How to Keep Tortoises Thermally Happy

Beau Callahan in Science & Nature December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the secrets to creating the perfect thermal environment for your shelled friends, ensuring their well-being in captivity."

Tortoises face threats in the wild, with many conservation efforts relying on captive populations. Maintaining these populations effectively requires attention to their specific needs, and one of the most crucial factors is providing a thermal environment that supports their natural thermoregulatory behaviors.

Variations in external temperatures significantly impact ectotherms like tortoises. Artificial heating sources, such as basking lamps and ground heating pads, are commonly used in temperate climates to maintain suitable temperatures. However, it is crucial to apply these methods effectively to avoid negative outcomes.

A study observed Aldabra giant tortoises in a zoo setting, before and after the installation of a heating area. The findings offer valuable guidance on how to create an ideal thermal environment for captive tortoises, improving their well-being and mirroring natural conditions.

The Goldilocks Zone: Finding the Right Temperature for Tortoises

Giant tortoises basking under heat lamps in a zoo enclosure.

The study focused on five Aldabra giant tortoises, ranging from 25 to 193 kg, at the Zurich Zoo. Researchers monitored the tortoises' thermoregulatory patterns during spring, following the installation of a heating area equipped with a concrete heat pad and basking lamps. This allowed them to compare results against previous data collected before the heating system was in place, as well as data from wild tortoises in Aldabra Atoll.

Key environmental factors were carefully measured to understand the tortoises' thermal experiences:

Environmental Temperature (Ta): Loggers recorded temperatures in both shaded and sun-exposed areas to capture the full range of conditions.
Core Body Temperature (Tbc): Internal body temperatures were tracked using ingested temperature loggers.
External Body Temperatures (Tbe): Infrared measurements captured temperatures on the carapace, extremities, and skin folds.
Heating Area Temperature: The temperature of the concrete heat pad was monitored to assess its effectiveness.

The goal was to determine if the artificial heating area could provide conditions similar to those experienced by wild tortoises. Researchers also investigated how body mass influenced thermal inertia, or the rate at which tortoises gained or lost heat.

Optimizing Tortoise Enclosures: Key Recommendations

The study's findings offer several key recommendations for optimizing the thermal environment of captive tortoises:

Incorporate basking lamps to provide surface temperatures around 45°C. This allows tortoises to actively absorb heat when needed. Use ground heating to compensate for heat loss in temperate climates. Aim for ground temperatures near 32°C. Ground heating must be carefully monitored. Vertical heat pads offer radiant heat. Adjust heating based on natural temperature fluctuations

By implementing these strategies, tortoise keepers can create environments that closely mimic the natural habitats of these amazing creatures. This not only promotes their physical health but also supports their natural behaviors and overall well-being.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1002/zoo.21449, Alternate LINK

Title: Evaluation Of Artificial Heating Sources For The Thermoregulation Of Aldabra Giant Tortoises ( Aldabrachelys Gigantea ) In Zurich Zoo

Subject: Animal Science and Zoology

Journal: Zoo Biology

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Wilfredo Falcón, Samuel Furrer, Martin Bauert, Jean‐Michel Hatt, Dennis M. Hansen, Marcus Clauss

Published: 2018-11-01

Everything You Need To Know

Why is a specific thermal environment so important for captive tortoises?

Captive tortoises necessitate specific thermal environments because they are ectotherms, meaning their body temperature relies on external sources. Maintaining the appropriate temperature is crucial for their health and behavior, just as it is in the wild. The study focused on Aldabra giant tortoises in a zoo setting, and the research on artificial heating helped create conditions mirroring natural conditions for captive tortoises. Inadequate thermal conditions can negatively impact their well-being.

What role do artificial heating sources play in tortoise care?

Artificial heating sources, such as basking lamps and ground heating pads, are essential for captive tortoises, especially in temperate climates. The study implemented a concrete heat pad and basking lamps. They help maintain suitable temperatures, allowing the tortoises to thermoregulate effectively. Without them, tortoises may not be able to digest food properly, and their immune systems could be suppressed. Correct implementation is important to avoid overheating or other negative outcomes.

What specific environmental factors were measured during the study on tortoises at the Zurich Zoo?

Researchers at the Zurich Zoo studied five Aldabra giant tortoises, monitoring Environmental Temperature (Ta), Core Body Temperature (Tbc), External Body Temperatures (Tbe), and Heating Area Temperature. These measurements were used to understand how the artificial heating area affected the tortoises' thermoregulatory patterns and compare it to data from wild tortoises in Aldabra Atoll. By analyzing these factors, the study aimed to optimize the thermal environment of the tortoises' enclosure.

What are thermoregulatory patterns, and why were they examined in the study?

Thermoregulatory patterns refer to how tortoises regulate their body temperature. As ectotherms, Aldabra giant tortoises rely on their environment to regulate their body heat. The study examined these patterns before and after the installation of a heating area equipped with a concrete heat pad and basking lamps. By carefully observing these patterns, researchers could determine if the artificial heating successfully provided conditions similar to those experienced by wild tortoises, thus positively impacting their well-being.

What are the key recommendations for optimizing the thermal environment for captive tortoises, based on the study's findings?

The findings of the study emphasize the importance of creating a thermal environment that supports tortoises' natural thermoregulatory behaviors. Key recommendations include providing a range of temperatures within the enclosure, using appropriate heating sources like basking lamps and ground heating pads, and monitoring temperature variations. By optimizing the thermal environment, zoos and other captive settings can significantly improve the health, behavior, and overall well-being of captive tortoises. It's important because many conservation efforts rely on captive populations, so this research helps maintain those populations effectively.