"Cupcake"

Oh wow! I was wondering about aldabras (since I just have a Russian), does this species always have a darker shell? I just saw some this past weekend that looked a little lighter in color (although some of that may have been the dusty dirt clinging to their shells a little). Are they often more of a brown shell than black?

On the weight gain thing , the variables are just so many it is hard to know.

" Normal " is overrated ( thats a joke

Since we don't have access to large numbers of growth charts , even averages are not available for comparison. If we knew the weight of several thousand 24 mo old babies , we could strike an average and compare. But even that would not tell us if our individual 24 mo old was healthy.

I suspect a growth chart like that would create a bell curve with the majority falling in the middle and fewer and fewer outliers on each end - larger and smaller. Here & there will be giants , as well as smaller ones. Plus I would suspect that sex plays a part in growth rates as males get larger.

The nature / nurture mix would still throw in unknown variables so even that much information would be generalities at best.

I try and relax about rates of growth preferring to be more focused on gains , good varied diet , activity level , and overall health markers - like clear eyes and good shell.

If my Cupcake stays healthy , her eventual size won't matter to me .
She ( or he - hahaha ) is still my Cupcake

well said! couldn't agree more Mike!

Alaskamike said:

On the weight gain thing , the variables are just so many it is hard to know. // I suspect a growth chart like that would create a bell curve

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~ I like that explanation!

Oxalis said:

Oh wow! I was wondering about aldabras (since I just have a Russian), does this species always have a darker shell? I just saw some this past weekend that looked a little lighter in color (although some of that may have been the dusty dirt clinging to their shells a little). Are they often more of a brown shell than black?

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I looked at many young ones before getting mine from @ALDABRAMAN.
It seemed all were very dark. As they age some get more brownish , some remain black.
The majority are very dark.
Look @ALDABRAMAN threads & photos. You can see the variables on color

Alaskamike said:

I looked at many young ones before getting mine from @ALDABRAMAN.
It seemed all were very dark. As they age some get more brownish , some remain black.
The majority are very dark.
Look @ALDABRAMAN threads & photos. You can see the variables on color

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Wonderful! I do love ALDABRAMAN's photos! I hope I meet an aldabra up close one day!

Look who came out of the warm hide for dinner 55f this morning !

What a beauty. Goooood morning!!!!

Good evening from me. It's 9 here

He's great looking Mike.

I think I see a tortie smile in that photo!

My little cupcake is 25 months old now. Enjoying the Florida winter - spending lots of time in her heated hide.

Took a weight today. 9 lbs. 14 oz.
woo-hoo!

Looking good!

Beautiful!

She looks quite content! Speaking of Aldabras, just yesterday I got to pet one at a animal conservancy near our house! I was super excited to see how much they enjoyed a good neck rub! Sorry I didn't get a photo of them; their names are Charles and Emma, I believe. I think it was Charles who got the neck rub. That was such a great experience!

I may be partial to the Aldabra's but they are beautiful animals. Nice !!!

Awesome!! Adorable!!

khanz said:

Awesome!! Adorable!!

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~ I agree 100%

Looks perfect!

How has Cupcake been, @Alaskamike?