IVORY SULCATA THREAD: Aladar's Babies! (ULTRA PHOTO HEAVY)

[Moozillion]

Tortoises are not immune to the throes of operant conditioning! Case in point...the ITs! I am training them to head back to their chamber at night. On the way, they decided to play a little in the puddles left from the afternoon's 'rain'! Fun for them! Great photo op's for me!

IT-1
View attachment 131229
IT-1 and a little cactus reflection!View attachment 131230
IT-2View attachment 131231
IT-3View attachment 131232
The End...for now! View attachment 131233
Butt shot courtesy of IT-2

Dean, I am SPEECHLESS over these INCREDIBLE PHOTOS!!!!
I showed them to my hubby, who is a professional photographer and he liked them too!!!!

 

[DeanS]

Dean, I am SPEECHLESS over these INCREDIBLE PHOTOS!!!!
I showed them to my hubby, who is a professional photographer and he liked them too!!!!

Jealous of your hubby! I wanted to be a professional photographer, too! Sadly...I ended up taking care of animals for a living!

 

[DeanS]

A little mustard greens, turnip greens and radicchio for the ITs today!
IT-1

IT-2
IT-3

 

[Moozillion]

So gorgeous!!! I never get tired of The ITs!!!!

 

[wellington]

Looking good. After not seeing their pics for a while, their faces seem more mature looking.

 

[DeanS]

Just happened to catch IT-2 waking up...hopefully I can top this on Monday...when they'll hit 13 months! Stay tuned!

 

[DeanS]

Here's a little update on the ITs as they hit 13 months today!

IT-1 6.25" 815 grams (just under 2 pounds)


IT-2 4.13" 256 grams (just under half a pound)


IT-3 5" 413 grams (just under a pound)

 

[DeanS]

Check out this shot of IT-1 and IT-3. I'm amazed at how much bigger IT-1 is! And early signs are pointing at all three being girls! We'll see!


This is a killer! IT-3 resembles her POPS more than any of the others...check out Aladar's regal pose...instilled in his offspring! She even has his head!

 

[taza]

They are really growing, and are very cute!

 

[Alaskamike]

That photo of IT 1 & IT 2 together would be a good one to show people who are concerned about the growth rates of their torts when compared to another of same age. Here are 2 sulcata, raised in same environment /food/ etc. , obviously healthy, showing significant growth rate differences.

 

[DeanS]

That photo of IT 1 & IT 2 together would be a good one to show people who are concerned about the growth rates of their torts when compared to another of same age. Here are 2 sulcata, raised in same environment /food/ etc. , obviously healthy, showing significant growth rate differences.

That's actually IT-3...not IT-2. IT-2 is even smaller than IT-3, but I take your point! IT-2 is growing remarkably fast now...and may very well catch up over the summer! One of the key factors (I always thought) would be competition. There has been NONE between these three. Even out in the yard...when they sleep...they're clustered together! I'm finding this true with the 8s, as well!

 

[DeanS]

A nice (on and off) rainy day and the ITs are pounding down the clover!

IT-1



IT-2



IT-3

 

[DeanS]

...and for those who missed it in the 8s thread...

odd couple share a meal (IT-1)

 

[DeanS]

Cool down for the ITs today! 102ºF 22% humidity UV index 11

IT-1

IT-2

IT-3


They spent more than two hours in the pool today...2 half hour increments at 10AM and 12PM and a one hour session from 2-3PM!

 

[Moozillion]

Cool down for the ITs today! 102ºF 22% humidity UV index 11

IT-1
View attachment 134128
IT-2
View attachment 134129
IT-3
View attachment 134130

They spent more than two hours in the pool today...2 half hour increments at 10AM and 12PM and a one hour session from 2-3PM!

It looks like IT2 may be having a growth spurt- the size differential between him and IT1 doesn't seem quite as dramatic as it used to?

 

[DeanS]

It looks like IT2 may be having a growth spurt- the size differential between him and IT1 doesn't seem quite as dramatic as it used to?

Yep! He/she is doing very well! Ironic that he/she still avoids Mazuri in any way, shape or form! From dead on...IT-2 and IT-3 are almost indistinguishable! BTW...here's a shot I took of the iTs at dusk...I was photographing MONSTRO! and when I turned...this is what was waiting for me! They were not arranged...except by themselves! That is from left to right...IT-1, IT-2 and IT-3

 

[DawnH]

Yep! He/she is doing very well! Ironic that he/she still avoids Mazuri in any way, shape or form! From dead on...IT-2 and IT-3 are almost indistinguishable! BTW...here's a shot I took of the iTs at dusk...I was photographing MONSTRO! and when I turned...this is what was waiting for me! They were not arranged...except by themselves! That is from left to right...IT-1, IT-2 and IT-3
View attachment 134621

That is hilarious. They are SO adorable!!! You know you can call me to tort sit, right? Just putting that bug in your ear...

 

[DeanS]

While IT-1 and IT-3 destroy a pile of Mazuri (and chopped alfalfa hay)...IT-2 finds an alternate source of protein! Funny...since I no longer allow them access to this extreme meal! Leave it to IT-2 to discover a missed morsel...even to the chagrin of some anxious flies! Thanks a lot Wolfie (our Yorkie/Min-Pin mix)!

IT-1

IT-3
IT-2

 

[DeanS]

Another hot one = more hours spent in the pool!
IT-1 needs a nap!

IT-2 looks for mischief...

IT-3 just wants to blow bubbles...

 

[Moozillion]

SOOOO CUTE!!!!