I work at a zoo and take care of a group of aldabras, the group consist of 19 juveniles and 2 adults. I was wondering if i could get some shared thoughts about the conditions of the shells. Im concerned about the white flakes and the brown ridges mainly around the growth lines.
Enclosure information: a greenhouse with 2 waterholes, substrate is sand.
Temperatures range from 75 degrees during the night up to 82 degrees during the day. With some exceptions during sumer time when the temperature can go up to 87 degrees.
Humidity is around 80%.
Current diet consist of mainly hay (short cut variant), heukobs (approx 4 lbs, its a grass type "pellet" wich is soaked in water), mazuri tortoise diet ls(approx 2 lbs), DK leafeater small (approx 2 lbs) , 2 heads of endive to apply supplement (calcium carbonate and gistocal), during spring and summer we also are able to provide a variation of weeds and grasses.
Side note, we are planning to get rid of the protein rich leafeater pellet. And we are also thinking about cutting back or removing the mazuri from the diet.
For lighting we have 3 "sun spots" under these spots we have the uvb with an index of 5.5, a bright arcadia daylight ledbar and a 1000watts Infrared heat lamp (the top of the carapace reaches a temperature of around 113 degrees). The heat also slightly worries me for the possibility that the heat dries out the shell too much.
If the weather allows it we let them outside on a grassfield we let them outside with a minimum temperature of 64 degrees. But they seem to manage well with thermoregulation. And go inside to warm up if needed (or so it apears)
I have added some pictures of the tortoises. I'm aware of the pyramiding. They used to lack proper hydration and humidity. Also the lighting wasn't optimal up until 2 years ago. Mainly the uvb was much lower.
