Aldabra Addition

[Tortoise name Bailey]

Hello everyone

I have had a male aldabra for about 17 years and I'm not exactly sure how old he was when I got him, I'd estimate 3ish so 20 years old and 160-170 lbs. So long story short he has come of age and I figured I'd get him a female mate, a 17 year old 100lb female was located and brought to his just under 4,000 Sq ft area that he stays in. Now comes the issue, the male is bumping the female every chance he gets and now the female doesn't want to come out of the heat house. I have separated the pair and have a crew coming to make her a area that will be hers or until things change.

My real question in all this is this

1 is this normal behavior for aldabras. I have seen this in sulcatas but honestly my first go around with aldabras this size.

2 If this is normal, is it seasonal or weather triggering. Could this be something that has to be seperated during say spring and they can go back as a pair during summer?

Any good input is appreciated

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

@ALDABRAMAN Might be able to help...

 

[TammyJ]

Cute picture! Like they're dancing - but they're not. I would absolutely separate them and if possible, with no sight or smell of each other. For now anyway. @Tom

 

[wellington]

@dd33 might be able to help
I personally would not have just one female with one male, pairs are not good. He will always only bug the one where having a couple spreads the attention.
It's is likely going to be worse during their breeding time. Spring is definitely one of those times.
If your male is 20 years old, he hopefully weighs more then 170. He should be 250-350 at least. The female being 17 is a bit light too.

 

[wellington]

Cute picture! Like they're dancing - but they're not. I would absolutely separate them and if possible, with no sight or smell of each other. For now anyway. @Tom

They can be next to each other in separate enclosures, just not seeing each other without risk of busting thru. If they couldn't smell each other, everyone would only be able to have one tortoise.

 

[Tom]

Hello everyone

I have had a male aldabra for about 17 years and I'm not exactly sure how old he was when I got him, I'd estimate 3ish so 20 years old and 160-170 lbs. So long story short he has come of age and I figured I'd get him a female mate, a 17 year old 100lb female was located and brought to his just under 4,000 Sq ft area that he stays in. Now comes the issue, the male is bumping the female every chance he gets and now the female doesn't want to come out of the heat house. I have separated the pair and have a crew coming to make her a area that will be hers or until things change.

My real question in all this is this

1 is this normal behavior for aldabras. I have seen this in sulcatas but honestly my first go around with aldabras this size.

2 If this is normal, is it seasonal or weather triggering. Could this be something that has to be seperated during say spring and they can go back as a pair during summer?

Any good input is appreciated

Tortoises should never be kept in pairs. Adding a smaller female into the established territory of a male is about worse case scenario.

You need a group, or you need to house them separately. For a group, the pen would need to be around a half acre or more.

 

[Tortoise name Bailey]

Just to update, the female just needed some time to settle into her new enclosure. She comes out, grazes and drinks like normal now. The male still makes advances as butting his shell on hers is part of their process. She has her defenses to his advances, turning and twisting her shell to get him off. This does not go on for long though, sometimes a half hour to an hour a day and the male goes back to whatever he was doing. She has some time, years probably, if at all, to go before she will be ready to cooperate.

 

[wellington]

You are making a mistake keeping them together. The stress on her could be detrimental. Tortoises should not be kept in pairs. One male with one female is a constant stress on her. Separate them and when the time comes out them together only to mate. The other solution is get at least one more female, two more would be ideal.

 

[Tortoise name Bailey]

Another update:

As time has passed and the female has further settled into the enclosure. Her behavior has become even more normal, her breathing is normal and relaxed. The males advances have become even less frequent and they often are settling near each other grazing or sleeping in a bush.

What once was a stressful situation for the tortoises and myself is no longer.

 

[wellington]

Another update:

As time has passed and the female has further settled into the enclosure. Her behavior has become even more normal, her breathing is normal and relaxed. The males advances have become even less frequent and they often are settling near each other grazing or sleeping in a bush.

What once was a stressful situation for the tortoises and myself is no longer.

You just don't want to listen at all. Unfortunately your tortoises, mainly the female, will pay for your wants and ignorance, not you.

 

[Tom]

What once was a stressful situation for the tortoises and myself is no longer.

Yes, in fact it still is very stressful for that female. She just has no choice in the matter. She can live on and suffer through the situation she finds herself in, or the chronic stress will eventually kill her in one of several ways. So sad. You are supposed to be their caretaker and do what is best for them. Living together like this is NOT what is best for them. Because she continues to live and breathe does not make it okay.

 

[Tortoise name Bailey]

I just want to add for anyone who reads this thread in the future. I sought advise outside of this thread from 2 very reputable U.S. based Aldabra keepers. People whom I consider "experts". I did listen to what they had to say and did exactly as they instructed me to. Their advise was solid. This female is adapting to her enclosure nicely.

Although forums can be a good place for information there are other resources. Just be prepared for the above comments.

Peace and love everybody!

 

[wellington]

I just want to add for anyone who reads this thread in the future. I sought advise outside of this thread from 2 very reputable U.S. based Aldabra keepers. People whom I consider "experts". I did listen to what they had to say and did exactly as they instructed me to. Their advise was solid. This female is adapting to her enclosure nicely.

Although forums can be a good place for information there are other resources. Just be prepared for the above comments.

Peace and love everybody!

Would love to know who these two are. I only know of one that raises Aldabra right.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I just want to add for anyone who reads this thread in the future. I sought advise outside of this thread from 2 very reputable U.S. based Aldabra keepers. People whom I consider "experts". I did listen to what they had to say and did exactly as they instructed me to. Their advise was solid. This female is adapting to her enclosure nicely.

Although forums can be a good place for information there are other resources. Just be prepared for the above comments.

Peace and love everybody!

The members here just want to help your tortoise, no species should be housed in a pair like this, just cause he’s not mounting her as often, doesn’t mean she’s not stressed by his presence😞
Mounting her at all is stressful, them following each other and eating together isn’t the cute behaviour you think it is☹️

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

The males advances have become even less frequent and they often are settling near each other grazing or sleeping in a bush.

Settling near each other and eating together are actually bullying behavior in tortoises...

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Settling near each other and eating together are actually bullying behavior in tortoises...

It is, just don’t think the stress this could have on them is worth it😞

 

[Yvonne G]

I'll toss in my 2¢. Since originally you thought to build another yard to separate them, I think you ought to go ahead with that plan. You may not see it, but the female IS stressed having to always be on her guard around the male. She will do so much better in her own yard. . . either that or get another female.

 

[Tom]

I just want to add for anyone who reads this thread in the future. I sought advise outside of this thread from 2 very reputable U.S. based Aldabra keepers. People whom I consider "experts". I did listen to what they had to say and did exactly as they instructed me to. Their advise was solid. This female is adapting to her enclosure nicely.

Although forums can be a good place for information there are other resources. Just be prepared for the above comments.

Peace and love everybody!

You mean you kept asking until someone gave you the answer you wanted to hear.