Even 2lb tortoises can be a handful. My little girl is deceptively strong for her size
I believe she was 3 when we got her. Probably, around 500-550 grams and 15cm SCL. She gained 1cm SCL and 100 grams in the first year and almost doubled the weight in the second. SCL was 18cm in June. Getting humidity right was the key.That's impressive for a species weighing ~30g as hatchling. How old is your redfoot?
I suspect that scat piles from Olive weigh 50+ grams, but we have yet to verify.
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
Happy birthday @incognet !
Thanks! Olive and I both have an October birth/hatch day, so we also celebrated hers.
UPDATE: Hi everyone! Sorry for not checking in more frequently... the past few months blur together. I'm currently training for my new job, tending a sick rabbit and making tortoise-related decisions. Olive now weighs ~2.4 kg, which is more than double her weight on arrival (7/19/24). I expect that she'll outgrow her present enclosure by August.
We plan to construct a new habitat inside our heated garage. The relatively low ceiling disallowed most commercially available greenhouse kits, but I found a small manufacturer that's willing to make my custom design...
We'll cover this metal frame with a combination of polycarbonate/Solexx, acrylic and/or PVC. We decided against ceiling vents or sliding glass window. These features would have limited practical value to our design.
I'll make a deposit on this tomorrow afternoon, so we can still request changes. Feedback is welcome.
We plan to construct a new habitat inside our heated garage. The relatively low ceiling disallowed most commercially available greenhouse kits, but I found a small manufacturer that's willing to make my custom design...
- 20*10*6'
- Welded steel frame
- Ag panel sides, end-walls and door
We'll cover this metal frame with a combination of polycarbonate/Solexx, acrylic and/or PVC. We decided against ceiling vents or sliding glass window. These features would have limited practical value to our design.
I'll make a deposit on this tomorrow afternoon, so we can still request changes. Feedback is welcome.
Attachments
UPDATE: Our custom frame is here! It arrived in one piece thanks to an expert truck driver and large trailer (which barely fit through gate). I'm glad that we didn't opt for a 12' wide frame...
I vacillate between calling it a "greenhouse" or "enclosure". The latter is probably more accurate, especially since we abandoned plans for translucent (but poorly insulating) greenhouse cover. My revised design will use a preponderance of opaque materials instead.
We've already bought new thermostats, smart power strips and LED grow lights. Other necessary hardware will be purchased soon... but that's a topic for another day, and possibly a new thread.
I vacillate between calling it a "greenhouse" or "enclosure". The latter is probably more accurate, especially since we abandoned plans for translucent (but poorly insulating) greenhouse cover. My revised design will use a preponderance of opaque materials instead.
We've already bought new thermostats, smart power strips and LED grow lights. Other necessary hardware will be purchased soon... but that's a topic for another day, and possibly a new thread.
JJHey
New Member
Hello all,
Don’t know if this is the right place to jump in and ask but …
Has anyone had any Aldabras from 150g range ? I’m just wondering what the growths like from such an early stage ? Or is there a time frame when these daily weight gains are made ?
Don’t know if this is the right place to jump in and ask but …
Has anyone had any Aldabras from 150g range ? I’m just wondering what the growths like from such an early stage ? Or is there a time frame when these daily weight gains are made ?
I'm also curious about this. Olive was ~9 months old and 800g when she arrived. This probably means a growth rate of 2-3 grams/day, which is consistent with sources that I can find online.
@ALDABRAMAN Can probably answer better than anyone else, but I think he's said they hatch out around 50g & 2.5", and are usually 3" in 60 days.
Growth can vary quite a bit by individual even when given identical conditions. However, as an average I find:
When given the proper conditions and food, a baby Aldabra or Galapagos will gain about 50% of its weight monthly the first two or three months. (1g - 1.25g per day) Then (as a percentage) it will ramp down to about 30% for a few months, and by about 8 mos old it will remain steady at 10% to 15% growth per month. after 2 years the growth will vary for me by season as they are living outdoors full time and pasture food is all they get. That will vary in type and nutritional value by season. Growth will average over the year at about 7.5% per month. By 4 years old average is about 4% per month.
This will translate to:
hatch = 55G aldabra, 70g galapagos
3 mos = 200g
6mos = 550g
12mo = 1250g
2 yrs = 5000g
3yrs = 12.5kg
4yrs = 22.5kg
5yrs = 35kg
When given the proper conditions and food, a baby Aldabra or Galapagos will gain about 50% of its weight monthly the first two or three months. (1g - 1.25g per day) Then (as a percentage) it will ramp down to about 30% for a few months, and by about 8 mos old it will remain steady at 10% to 15% growth per month. after 2 years the growth will vary for me by season as they are living outdoors full time and pasture food is all they get. That will vary in type and nutritional value by season. Growth will average over the year at about 7.5% per month. By 4 years old average is about 4% per month.
This will translate to:
hatch = 55G aldabra, 70g galapagos
3 mos = 200g
6mos = 550g
12mo = 1250g
2 yrs = 5000g
3yrs = 12.5kg
4yrs = 22.5kg
5yrs = 35kg
JJHey
New Member
Thanks for the information!
I think I’m in a bit of uncharted territory here myself over in the UK.
The paperwork for my little guy says he was hatched in Mauritius March 2024 , obviously the shipping process is far from ideal conditions and the stress involved has caused some delays. But at the minute he’s only 168G, I’ve had his bloods done, x rays and regular checks and vets (exotic specialist) give him the all clear. I’ve gone through mountains of research, care sheets , diet plans and have plenty of experience with sulcatas and Russians. So I can say quite confidently I’m giving him what he needs.
I just feel like he’s making slow but good progress , and with very few people in the uk who have one of these guys from such a small size , I’ve not really got anything to compare to
Have I been sold a dud
a dwarf Aldab? 
ID
I'm more inclined to question the hatch date. Maybe your little guy/girl was actually hatched this year, but someone goofed on the paperwork?Thanks for the information!
I think I’m in a bit of uncharted territory here myself over in the UK.
The paperwork for my little guy says he was hatched in Mauritius March 2024 , obviously the shipping process is far from ideal conditions and the stress involved has caused some delays. But at the minute he’s only 168G, I’ve had his bloods done, x rays and regular checks and vets (exotic specialist) give him the all clear. I’ve gone through mountains of research, care sheets , diet plans and have plenty of experience with sulcatas and Russians. So I can say quite confidently I’m giving him what he needs.
I just feel like he’s making slow but good progress , and with very few people in the uk who have one of these guys from such a small size , I’ve not really got anything to compare to
Have I been sold a dud
JJHey
New Member
Yeah Id be inclined to agree , but I know he’s been in the UK since last October when the pet shop got him/her.
Hi, how did the growth rate and weight gain proceed?Yeah Id be inclined to agree , but I know he’s been in the UK since last October when the pet shop got him/her.
I got a little aldab, that has hatched already in 2025 and weighs 133g of yesterday when it's arrived. So seems a slowly grower, too. But size and weight matches good, SCL 9,5cm. And she looks healthy, is really active. Already ate yesterday and has a smooth shell.
