ALDABRA TORTOISE BREEDER

Greg, I am curious on how you decide on the hold backs? What kind of parameters do you go by?

This is such a great thread giving us a great sense of what its like working with these giants. Thank you.

mikeh said:

Greg, I am curious on how you decide on the hold backs? What kind of parameters do you go by?

This is such a great thread giving us a great sense of what its like working with these giants. Thank you.

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* Well, it actually all depends on many factors, usually it is based on our overall total production, the current markets, and the most important is if i think one is unique or just perfect! We usually like to keep a few just to have a few yearlings available, however the majority of our hatchlings are sold right at thirty days old and three inches, for sure our strongest market!

These are the coolest animals on earth I gotta say

Ezra said:

These are the coolest animals on earth I gotta say

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* I agree!

Ezra said:

These are the coolest animals on earth I gotta say

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WOW.... just look at the last pic.....

Man I wish I had more land . Because I would be driving down to the orange state to buy one of these beauties .

shanu303 said:

WOW.... just look at the last pic..... View attachment 76937

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* This is the picture on the back of my new business cards!

mike taylor said:

Man I wish I had more land . Because I would be driving down to the orange state to buy one of these beauties .

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* They need plenty of space, especially the bigger ones!

mikeh said:

Greg, I am curious on how you decide on the hold backs? What kind of parameters do you go by?

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* This a great example of two of our hold backs, a one and two year old!

Are these the two for sale at fauna?

Is a half acre big enough for one? I'm buying the land next door to me . Which would give me a acre and a half .

ALDABRAMAN said:

* This a great example of two of our hold backs, a one and two year old!

AMSET & TURBO​

View attachment 77031

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From dozens of hatchlings that year what was it specifically or so special about these two that kept them with you?

mikeh said:

From dozens of hatchlings that year what was it specifically or so special about these two that kept them with you?

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Well, Turbo was a runt and was the most active and friendliest young aldabra we have ever hatched! AMSET was simply bigger than all of her clutch mates and she was flawless with a very distinctive nuchal scute! We actually hold back several a year and many factors determine which ones i choose as hold backs.

hmmca said:

Are these the two for sale at fauna?

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* One (AMSET)

mike taylor said:

Is a half acre big enough for one? I'm buying the land next door to me . Which would give me a acre and a half .

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* That is plenty if it is set up right!

So I would have to build a shed . But how big? Then fences around the land . I can do this . The biggest step is getting the wifey in on it . Ha ha

mike taylor said:

The biggest step is getting the wifey in on it . Ha ha

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* LOL

ALDABRAMAN said:

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Well, Turbo was a runt and was the most active and friendliest young aldabra we have ever hatched! AMSET was simply bigger than all of her clutch mates and she was flawless with a very distinctive nuchal scute! We actually hold back several a year and many factors determine which ones i choose as hold backs.

AMSET is 7.5" and 3.35 pounds​

View attachment 77036

TURBO is 5.25" and 1.15 pounds​

View attachment 77037

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Thanks for sharing. Amset sure has that nice even and super smooth shell. Meaty legs too. Her head shape looks little unique too (bit Galapagos) at least from the picture angle.

mikeh said:

Amset sure has that nice even and super smooth shell. Meaty legs too.

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* Yes, she is perfect and flawless, here she was tonight getting a soaking!