Hot Weather Alert

The Weather Channel is saying this July will be the hottest July on record for California since they started keeping records in 1840.

Extremely hot weather is expected during the coming weeks. Be on the lookout for signs of overheating or stress in your tortoise. If it is running to find shade, sitting out in very hot sunlight, or if you see foaming at the mouth, take action. Cool your tortoise by gently hosing it down with cool water (be careful of any extremely hot water that may be sitting in the hose). Bring your tortoise inside until the temperature cools in the evening.

If you have a good burrow (over 3 feet long with more than 1 foot of soil on top) with water close by, there's no need to worry. You might want to check the temperature in the burrow just to be sure. It should be at least 10 degrees less than the outside temperature.

However, if you have only temporary shelter for your tortoise, bring it in during the hottest part of the day. If your tortoise has not been in your house before, you may be surprised by the trouble it gets into. Electrical cords wrap around the gular horn and all kinds of things are to be found around the edges of the rooms where they like to walk.

However, the temperature cools their activity level and they usually find a dark corner to sleep in or under a bed. Also, you could put it in a laundry room or bathroom and shut the door, but periodic temp checks are necessary. This sequestering is just an emergency or cautionary safety measure meant for a short time.

This summer, be checking your yard for any place the tortoise could get stuck - such as under the BBQ, around toys or play sets, the lawn mower, and so on. Take care to prevent any situation that would cause your tortoise to be unable to find cooler temperatures, overheat and possibly die in summer’s hot weather.

And don’t forget - stay cool yourself! : )