Recommended Age/Weight/Size at the time of purchasing an Aldabra

niraj

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Aldabra Tortoises are available as Hatchlings, well started six month olds, yearlings and also as adults. The prices as we all know range from $2000 for hatchlings and can go upto $50000 for adults. I request experts to shed light on what can be considered as a recommended age / weight / size range (ofcourse there cannot be an exact figure and therefore one has to determine a range) for purchasing an Aldabra Tortoise which can be considered reasonably safe considering the high mortality rate in Aldabras in their early years.

Thank you.
 

ALDABRAMAN

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~ We generally offer our hatchlings at 30 days old and about 3". Prices vary, many variables are generally considered. I have no idea about the markets or laws in India.

~ I would highly encourage you to visually inspect any tortoise in person prior to any consideration of purchase. Seems that scams and misleading information is getting worse.

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niraj

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~ We generally offer our hatchlings at 30 days old and about 3". Prices vary, many variables are generally considered. I have no idea about the markets or laws in India.

~ I would highly encourage you to visually inspect any tortoise in person prior to any consideration of purchase. Seems that scams and misleading information is getting worse.

View attachment 247672 View attachment 247673 View attachment 247674

Thank you for the kind response. May I request you to enlighten us on the mortality rates you have observed in young Aldabras? Is it safer to purchase a well started yearling or so compared to a hatchling even if it is costlier if it significantly reduces mortality risks? If yes, what age / weight / size is safe in your opinion?
 

ALDABRAMAN

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mortality rates

~ Complicated question. Many of ours leave our program and there is no way of tracking them. The direct customers that we do have communications with, there have been no issues. One of the biggest problems that often occurs is when you get one from a source other than directly from a breeder. Many have been fed heavy and poor diets to induce fast growth to get them of size to allow importation or able to be legally sold. This can cause many complications. I have spoken to several that have had deaths from imports, reasons have varied or simply unknown. There is a higher risk when purchasing from any source that is strictly financially driven.
 

niraj

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~ Complicated question. Many of ours leave our program and there is no way of tracking them. The direct customers that we do have communications with, there have been no issues. One of the biggest problems that often occurs is when you get one from a source other than directly from a breeder. Many have been fed heavy and poor diets to induce fast growth to get them of size to allow importation or able to be legally sold. This can cause many complications. I have spoken to several that have had deaths from imports, reasons have varied or simply unknown. There is a higher risk when purchasing from any source that is strictly financially driven.

Can you ship to India?
 

wellington

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From what Aldabraman has said and from what I have read throughout the years of being on this forum, the best thing you can do is too find a breeder as close to you as possible. Someone that is willing too answer all your questions, that you can visit and see hands on the condition of the torts. If no one that close, then someone that will send you all kinds of pictures, of not only the torts but how they are housed. Pics of the parents, etc. Do they soak them daily, do they keep them hot and humid or hot and dry? What are they fed? All important questions. If they are hatched and raised right you have a very good chance of not having a problem with a hatchling or older one.
If they are raised poorly and you buy a yearling or older, that is just that many more months of it being kept poorly. That's when it's better to get them young or better yet, not at all from that breeder.
Asking around for any input about the breeder or googling the breeder should show any bad info.
 

Alaskamike

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This question gets asked allot. Not just with Aldabra, but others as well. Though I’ve had a reasonable amount of experience with torts, I opted to purchase a 6 mo old Aldabra myself for several reasons , not the least of which is the certainty that she was well started. I also got mine from a reputable breeder - @ALDABRAMAN and picked her up myself. This avoided shipping & the unknown of imports.

Not everyone has that luxury. It depends greatly on where you live. I just happen to be an hours drive from the breeder.

Often I’ve seen photos with the question “ does this one look healthy?” Frankly it’s impossible to tell from a picture. Even an inspection in person cannot tell you what the conditions of care have been. There are always unknowns.

For me, the extra I paid for a 6 months was worth it. To each their own. It really comes down to a risk assessment. I’ve known several who got imports and years later they are doing very well.

Good fortune to you
Mike
 

niraj

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This question gets asked allot. Not just with Aldabra, but others as well. Though I’ve had a reasonable amount of experience with torts, I opted to purchase a 6 mo old Aldabra myself for several reasons , not the least of which is the certainty that she was well started. I also got mine from a reputable breeder - @ALDABRAMAN and picked her up myself. This avoided shipping & the unknown of imports.

Not everyone has that luxury. It depends greatly on where you live. I just happen to be an hours drive from the breeder.

Often I’ve seen photos with the question “ does this one look healthy?” Frankly it’s impossible to tell from a picture. Even an inspection in person cannot tell you what the conditions of care have been. There are always unknowns.

For me, the extra I paid for a 6 months was worth it. To each their own. It really comes down to a risk assessment. I’ve known several who got imports and years later they are doing very well.

Good fortune to you
Mike

Thank you for your kind response. I live in India and unfortunately reputed breeders such as @ALDABRAMAN do not ship Aldabras to India so the only option is to go for what is available locally. Presently, I am told that either one can purchase a hatchling (3 to 4 inches) or about One and a half years old Aldabra (only one available). Price is almost double for the older one. Hatch Date of the older Aldabra is not known. The same is said to be kept in an indoor enclosure (not in the open like @ALDABRAMAN does). Your kind opinion on the same will be highly appreciated. Thank you.
 

Alaskamike

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Thank you for your kind response. I live in India and unfortunately reputed breeders such as @ALDABRAMAN do not ship Aldabras to India so the only option is to go for what is available locally. Presently, I am told that either one can purchase a hatchling (3 to 4 inches) or about One and a half years old Aldabra (only one available). Price is almost double for the older one. Hatch Date of the older Aldabra is not known. The same is said to be kept in an indoor enclosure (not in the open like @ALDABRAMAN does). Your kind opinion on the same will be highly appreciated. Thank you.
You ask a very difficult question to answer. If it were me, I think I’d take a chance on the young one because at least you will be in control of care in that formative first year. If I could, I’d get 2 young ones , raise them for 3-5 yrs & sell one to more than pay for my other one. Wish I’d bought 2 or 3 when I got mine.

Depends allot on your finances. Good luck whatever you decide.
Mike
 

niraj

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You ask a very difficult question to answer. If it were me, I think I’d take a chance on the young one because at least you will be in control of care in that formative first year. If I could, I’d get 2 young ones , raise them for 3-5 yrs & sell one to more than pay for my other one. Wish I’d bought 2 or 3 when I got mine.

Depends allot on your finances. Good luck whatever you decide.
Mike

Thank you once again. I am told by the seller that mortality rate is very high in the first six months and most hatchlings do not survive. Would you agree on that?
 

Alaskamike

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Thank you once again. I am told by the seller that mortality rate is very high in the first six months and most hatchlings do not survive. Would you agree on that?
Absolutely not. Any seller that told me that would NOT get my business. Mortality rates in the wild are high -yes. But in captivity they should be very low, we adjust for food, temps, hydration, humidity , and predation.
 

niraj

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Absolutely not. Any seller that told me that would NOT get my business. Mortality rates in the wild are high -yes. But in captivity they should be very low, we adjust for food, temps, hydration, humidity , and predation.

Thank you. However, what do you think would be the reason for breeders selling with tags like ' Well Started ' six months olds and yearlings and there prices are much higher than the hatchlings? In your opinion, does it not have any relation with high mortality rate in the first six months or a year?
 

teresaf

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Not hatchlings on this forum... Using the information on this forum you should be able to raise a perfectly healthy hatchling... Read up on "Closed Chambers". It's easier to raise a healthy tortoise if you control its environment and the only way to control its environment is with a closed chamber. Honestly I bought two baby Burmese black mountain tortoises anticipating that one would not make it since I've never raised young tortoises before. I suggest doing most of your reading here on the floor on before you buy a tortoise so you can get your enclosure set up just right...
 

teresaf

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Thank you. However, what do you think would be the reason for breeders selling with tags like ' Well Started ' six months olds and yearlings and there prices are much higher than the hatchlings? In your opinion, does it not have any relation with high mortality rate in the first six months or a year?
Once they become a year old they are less fragile... Hatchlings are fragile. Treat them right... don't drop them, feed them correctly, house them correctly and they should be fine
 
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