The pharmacokinetics of amikacin were compared in two groups of tortoises, one held at 20 degrees C and the other at 30 degrees C. The mean (+/- SD) residence time for amikacin in the 30 degrees C tortoises was 22.67 +/- 0.50 h; significantly (P less than 0.05) less than those held at 20 degrees C (41.83 +/- 3.23 h). There was no significant difference (P greater than 0.05) in the steady-state volume of distribution (Vd(ss] between the tortoises held at 30 degrees C (0.241 +/- 0.520 l/kg) and those held at 20 degrees C (0.221 +/- 0.019 l/kg). The clearance rate was faster (P less than 0.05) in the warmer tortoises (10.65 +/- 2.42 ml/min/kg at 30 degrees C compared to 5.27 +/- 0.152 ml/min/kg at 20 degrees C). These data indicate that while the volume of distribution was approximately the same, amikacin remained in the colder tortoises longer because of its slower elimination. The oxygen consumption and metabolism were measured and found to be lower in the colder tortoises, almost by the same 2:1 ratio as clearance time (Cl), mean residence time (MRT), and area under the curve (AUC). The data derived from this limited study indicated that an appropriate therapeutic dosage regimen for amikacin in gopher tortoises at 30 degrees C is 5 mg/kg given i.m. every 48 h.