Patterns of activity and body temperature of Aldabra giant tortoises in relation to environmental temperature

Aldabra giant tortoises exhibit mixed thermoregulatory behavior, balancing between temperature conformity and regulation. Research reveals that their activity peaks at an environmental temperature of 27.9°C (range: 25.8–31.7°C) and is influenced by seasonal variations. Core body temperature stability is more strongly linked to ambient conditions than to mass, with higher-mass tortoises showing slightly more stable temperatures only in cold environments. The study challenges the notion of inertial homeothermy, suggesting that thermal inertia depends on environmental factors rather than inherent physiological traits. This finding provides critical insights for managing the thermal environment of wild and rewilded populations, especially under climate change.

Falcón, W., Baxter, R. P., Furrer, S., Bauert, M., Hatt, J.-M., Schaepman‐Strub, G., Ozgul, A., Bunbury, N., Clauss, M., & Hansen, D. M. (2018). Patterns of activity and body temperature of Aldabra giant tortoises in relation to environmental temperature. Ecology and Evolution, 8(4), 2108–2121. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.3766