Olive the Aldabra

[incognet]

I've already posted about Olive in several threads. Her little sploots always bring a smile to my face. She's quite photogenic (IMHO).

 

[Tom]

Her new growth is coming in superbly. So pretty.

 

[TammyJ]

She is quite gorgeous . What's the 215 mean, anything?

 

[incognet]

She is quite gorgeous . What's the 215 mean, anything?

Thank you! The ID # from breeder/importer was sctually 1215. I guess that he dropped the first digit because of space constraints. I'd like to remove this paint, but cannot risk damaging Olive wirh any solvents. We may try using a toothbrush on her carapace during soaks to hasten the process.

 

[incognet]

UPDATE: Olive has become more comfortable in our presence; I often sit with her during meals or coffee breaks.

She also tolerates me using a toothbrush on her carapace during bathtime. It's working as intended (albeit slowly).

 

[Seul001]

I’d love to see more pictures of her

 

[Markw84]

Thank you! The ID # from breeder/importer was sctually 1215. I guess that he dropped the first digit because of space constraints. I'd like to remove this paint, but cannot risk damaging Olive wirh any solvents. We may try using a toothbrush on her carapace during soaks to hasten the process.

Most of the breeders that mark tortoises use an acrylic pen. It's very hard to get off. I've used nail polish remover. The scutes are keratin - almost identical to our fingernails. Apply some cold-pressed coconut oil after a session with the nail polish remover.

 

[Dustin]

The number will wear off in no time and you will forget it was ever there. Its funny that you are trying to get the number off as quick as possible and I am trying new paint markers all the time to get the numbers to last longer!

 

[seanbaker1]

The paint markers I've seen tend to be permanent. I was thinking of just using a dot of water-based paint (latex), seems like that would be pretty harmless? Just re-apply as needed.

 

[Dustin]

The paint markers I've seen tend to be permanent. I was thinking of just using a dot of water-based paint (latex), seems like that would be pretty harmless?

Both water based and oil based paint markers only remain legible for a few months for tortoises kept outdoors. It might take a year or so for them to wear off with no trace but it does happen every time.

 

[_The_Beast_]

UPDATE: Olive has become more comfortable in our presence; I often sit with her during meals or coffee breaks.

She also tolerates me using a toothbrush on her carapace during bathtime. It's working as intended (albeit slowly).

Olive's side eye game is on point!

 

[Tom]

Both water based and oil based paint markers only remain legible for a few months for tortoises kept outdoors. It might take a year or so for them to wear off with no trace but it does happen every time.

I agree. I have to re-apply every two or three months, and more often if they are climbing on each other.

 

[incognet]

I’d love to see more pictures of her

The best photo opportunities seem to happen whenever my smartphone is charging or misplaced.

Case in point: we saw Olive repeatedly nudge a hanging plant, like it was a pendulum or tetherball. She was probably intrigued by the green plastic.

I captured a few still images and short video before she wandered off.

 

[incognet]

The number will wear off in no time and you will forget it was ever there. Its funny that you are trying to get the number off as quick as possible and I am trying new paint markers all the time to get the numbers to last longer!

That is funny!

I'd probably leave number on carapace if we had a big creep of tortoises.

Olive's number has already begun to flake off, so we probably don't need to use a solvent. I'm satisfied that paint is not harmful when correctly applied to a scute.

 

[incognet]

Most of the breeders that mark tortoises use an acrylic pen. It's very hard to get off. I've used nail polish remover. The scutes are keratin - almost identical to our fingernails. Apply some cold-pressed coconut oil after a session with the nail polish remover.

Thanks, I'll try that if we use nail polish remover in the future. I'm slightly less worried about acetone than other solvents.

Whatever brand of acrylic pen they used stood up to 4+ months of UV, humidity and abrasion.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

The best photo opportunities seem to happen whenever my smartphone is charging or misplaced.

Yeah, I tried to snap a photo of my Russian yesterday, he had gotten on top of his round house, but he slid of just when I got my phone camera out!

 

[COmtnLady]

Happy Birthday Incognet !

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

The best photo opportunities seem to happen whenever my smartphone is charging or misplaced.

Case in point: we saw Olive repeatedly nudge a hanging plant, like it was a pendulum or tetherball. She was probably intrigued by the green plastic.

I captured a few still images and short video before she wandered off.

Soon she will be grazing plants in these hanging pots

Happy birthday!!!

 

[incognet]

Happy Birthday Incognet !

Thank you! No cake was served this year, but I had churros.

 

[incognet]

Soon she will be grazing plants in these hanging pots

Happy birthday!!!

Thanks! I spent most of the birthday party answering questions about my tortoise.

It wouldn't be a huge surprise if she climbed into those hanging pots, or perched atop driftwood. Olive acts like a Pancake tortoise; heights don't scare her.