Shipping a Tortoise in Winter: How We Keep Them Warm
Ordering a tortoise in the cold months? Here's exactly how we keep it safe, and what happens if the weather won't cooperate.
How every tortoise is packed
- An insulated shipping box built for live reptiles
- A heat source when the weather calls for it, rated to last up to 48 hours
- Overnight delivery only, so your tortoise spends one night in transit
- Shipped on Mondays, so it never sits in a warehouse over a weekend
When it's too cold to ship
We watch the forecast for our farm, the route, and your town. If it isn't safe, we don't ship. Your tortoise stays warm and cared for on our farm, and we ship the next safe Monday. We'll email you if your shipping date changes.
What you can do
- Be home on delivery day. A box left on a cold porch is the biggest risk. If you can't be home, you can ask the carrier to hold the package for pickup.
- Set up the enclosure first. Have the heat lamp running with a 90–100°F basking spot before the box arrives.
- Open the box indoors. Let your tortoise warm up for a few minutes, then give it a lukewarm soak.
Covered by our guarantee
Every tortoise ships with our live arrival guarantee. See the full terms on our shipping and policies page.
Giving a tortoise as a holiday gift?
A $165 One Hatchling gift card is delivered by email right away. They pick the tortoise and the delivery date, so it can ship when the weather is right.