Before the first cold night — and the next outage
A seasonal plan for cold, heat, storms, and loss of power, with a written relocation plan.
Prepare before the forecast turns
Sulcatas do not hibernate. Audit heated shelter before cold weather: inspect wiring and guards, test thermostats, replace unreliable equipment, and record overnight readings. A weather forecast is a planning input, not a measurement of a shelter or burrow.
In hot weather, check shade throughout the day and confirm access to water and cooler retreats. Before heavy rain, check drainage and avoid relying on a burrow that may flood. Record the actual enclosure conditions and the action you took.
Stage-specific preparation
Hatchlings need a controlled, secure setup that is easy to monitor. Do not assume they can safely tolerate an adult’s outdoor routine. For juveniles, check new escape routes as digging and strength increase. For adults, rehearse how to move the animal safely: suitable carrier or cart, vehicle space, helpers, and an agreed destination.
Your power-outage card
Write the veterinarian-agreed enclosure limits and relocation trigger on a paper card. Add the primary and backup caregiver numbers, clinic numbers, warm destination, carrier location, and the date the plan was practiced. Keep battery-powered thermometers, a flashlight, and printed instructions accessible.
If power fails, measure the actual shelter conditions, contact your backup person, and use the prepared safe destination if limits cannot be maintained. Do not improvise exposed hot surfaces or leave an animal unattended against a heat pack. Ask a reptile veterinarian about safe temporary support if your plan cannot be maintained.
CDC advises keeping generators outside and at least 20 feet from windows, doors, and vents. Never use a grill or fuel-burning camping appliance indoors. Follow manufacturer and electrician guidance for backup power; never backfeed a household outlet.
Your practical checklist
Print this guide or save it as a PDF using your device’s print menu. Add your veterinarian’s individual instructions.
Date: __________________ Keeper: __________________
Sources & further reading
Links checked during the editorial update. Older care sheets are identified by their publishers; the update date above is our editorial date. Source citations are not a review of this website by the source authors.
LafeberVet / University of Pennsylvania: sulcata husbandry and diet ↗CDC: power outage and generator safety ↗RSPCA: safe transport and bringing a reptile home ↗General education, not a diagnosis or individual care plan. Ask a veterinarian experienced with sulcatas about your animal’s needs. Report a correction or suggest a topic.