Tortoises from the Seychelles

Sesel

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Got back from work today and saw that the gardener had put some grass clippings in the tortoises' enclosure.

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Checking on them I noticed one tortoise missing. I started to panic. First thought is she climbed on top of the grass clippings, over the wall and fallen down (drop of about 2m/7feet). I saw nothing down there so next thought was that it had been stolen. It took me a few minutes to start to:



She came out after i 'bothered' her a bit more.

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But just before dark, she had 'buried' herself again :rolleyes: (I wonder how it feels like breathing under all those:D)

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ERoss

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Do not forget to take into account the differences in environments from one keeper to another. The climate is South Florida is VERY different than the climate in the California desert. What someone does in a particular area with one species, might not work for someone else in an entirely different climate with the same species, or with a different species.

When aldabras are raised the way Aldabraman raises them at his home in FL here in CA, they end up horribly pyramided, and often stunted. They don't tend to do very well here. Where it rains in FL several times a week most of the year, and it is very humid year round, we can go 11 months with no rain at all and single digit humidity for much of that time.

I'd also like to clarify, that my tortoises aren't wet all the time. They are soaked daily, and I spray them with water several times a day, but they are dry the majority of the time. I keep their enclosures at a humidity level similar to the great outdoors in FL, but the upper layers of their substrate remain relatively dry.

So when deciding what will work best for you, and when looking at examples of what different people are able to produce, consider the climate. What is the climate like where you are? How often does it rain and how much? What are your humidity levels throughout the course of a year there, and how does that compare to the tropical islands that your tortoise species comes from? How do your humidity levels compare to mine or to Aldabraman's?

Hi Tom,

You bring up a very good point and one I have been wondering about for a while now. I would like to raise aldabras in the future but I live in Northern California in a particularly dry area. I have been thinking about building a large greenhouse (with a grass floor) where I could keep a much higher humidity level and keep the younger aldabras safe from predators. I live on a ranch with coyotes, bobcats, and other wildlife that could harm the torts. I was thinking of building an adjacent night box area for them so they could go in between the warm night box and the greenhouse area. Then when they are older give them a fenced in outside area as well as the greenhouse. I would also include a misting area in the greenhouse and basking area. If anyone has any suggestions this is a few years off just what I have been planning so would be nice to get a little feedback :)

And it is so nice to see all of these pictures of your aldabras in the Seychelles! thank you for sharing!
 

Tom

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Hi Tom,

You bring up a very good point and one I have been wondering about for a while now. I would like to raise aldabras in the future but I live in Northern California in a particularly dry area. I have been thinking about building a large greenhouse (with a grass floor) where I could keep a much higher humidity level and keep the younger aldabras safe from predators. I live on a ranch with coyotes, bobcats, and other wildlife that could harm the torts. I was thinking of building an adjacent night box area for them so they could go in between the warm night box and the greenhouse area. Then when they are older give them a fenced in outside area as well as the greenhouse. I would also include a misting area in the greenhouse and basking area. If anyone has any suggestions this is a few years off just what I have been planning so would be nice to get a little feedback :)

And it is so nice to see all of these pictures of your aldabras in the Seychelles! thank you for sharing!
That is uncharted territory for me. I've never tried the greenhouse thing. It might solve the dryness issue if they stay in it most of the time. Personally, for me, there are so many other species that are better suited to our climate, that it is not worth the hassle, risk and expense to me to try Aldabras here.
 

ERoss

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That is uncharted territory for me. I've never tried the greenhouse thing. It might solve the dryness issue if they stay in it most of the time. Personally, for me, there are so many other species that are better suited to our climate, that it is not worth the hassle, risk and expense to me to try Aldabras here.

I totally understand that. I know what I am envisioning is going to be expensive. Luckily my husband and I are both handy and will build it ourselves so we don’t have a labor expense. Appreciate your feedback though!
 

Tom

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I totally understand that. I know what I am envisioning is going to be expensive. Luckily my husband and I are both handy and will build it ourselves so we don’t have a labor expense. Appreciate your feedback though!

I wish you good luck! Please post it all here on the forum so we can all learn from your experience!
 

Sesel

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It means the tortoise needs more moisture/humidity in its life. Too dry.

Thank you. I have seen it with tortoises in another location today. Our hot & dry season is near (and it has gotten hotter recently). :D
 

Sesel

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We recently separated our females from the males. One of the females looked as if she had trouble using her hind legs whilst moving (though she would stand tall on all four legs when her neck was rubbed):


She was also staying in a corner barely moving all day. We have noticed this behavior during the past one or two weeks. She would still eat if approached and given food (but looked more picky than usual).

We also didn't notice any excrement from her.

So, we need help to know what might be happening:

1. Can it be constipation or something affecting the back legs?

2. The mating season is almost over. Can it be a case of 'over mating'?

Or any other ideas please feel free to chime in.

@ALDABRAMAN : do you have any experience with 'over mating' in Aldabras or stories you have heard of?

Here she is today:


There is a noticeable improvement in using her hind legs after being separated for only one day. She also drank some water and had a good appetite. There were signs of excrement from her today.
:)

PS: she was the one with foamy eyes. At first I thought toxins from weeds. But others have said it is due to a lack of humidity/moisture.
 

Jemo

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Hi Sesel,
we also have the Problems with foamy eyes with some of our animals.
It is often said it should be thr lack of humidity. Maybe it is in some cases.
We Keep ours with 70-95 % humidity so i thinl it cannot be the reason.
We and our vet have no Explantation for this.
It seem not to affect the animals.

Problems with the hind legs: it is a widespread Problem and occurs sometimes in tortoises, maybe land or even water species like carettochelys. To my knowledge there is no real reason or solution we know.
 

ALDABRAMAN

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@ALDABRAMAN : do you have any experience with 'over mating' in Aldabras or stories you have heard of?

~ No, it looks like your pens(?) are very small. I would not rule out being over mated, the females might have no way to stay clear!

~ If she does not gain mobility within a few days we would consult our vet. Our experience has been that "leak" hind legs can be a sign of other issues.
 

Sesel

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Thank you both for your input.

Hi Sesel,
we also have the Problems with foamy eyes with some of our animals...
We and our vet have no Explantation for this.
It seem not to affect the animals.
Can it be due to some sort of stress?

About one month until your trip to the Seychelles & Aldabra, excited?
Can we give homework for when you go to Aldabra? :D

~ No, it looks like your pens(?) are very small. I would not rule out being over mated, the females might have no way to stay clear!
We are planning to enlarge the enclosure~ :D

~ If she does not gain mobility within a few days we would consult our vet. Our experience has been that "leak" hind legs can be a sign of other issues.

Sadly, we do not have any vet specialising in tortoises here. That's why your experiences are very valuable to us.:)
 

Yvonne G

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The large tortoises need a LOT of exercise to aid in digestion. It could very well be that your tortoise is constipated. This puts pressure on the nerves which makes it hard to move the back legs.
 
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