Soefianto
Active Member
Truly gentle..
"Cupcake"
- Thread starter Alaskamike
- Start date
Alaskamike
Well-Known Member
Ben thanks, I don't remember where I saw that instinctual behavior or read about it, but it is observed in the Seychelles islands where they live. A symbiotic relationship between the tortoises and the birds who feast on the ticks and bugs that get on them. What fascinates me is how a baby like mine, with no experience with the birds, still stands when I touch her shell, or legs. She also stands when it rains or I give her a shower with the hose. Which tells me it has become ingrained in their DNA.
Sounds like yours is becoming very friendly, my Cupcake is still very cautious of me, and won't come up to me on her own (I'm calling her a her till I know better
It's great that several of us with young ones are active on the forum, helps in an exchange of experiences and ideas.
Sounds like yours is becoming very friendly, my Cupcake is still very cautious of me, and won't come up to me on her own (I'm calling her a her till I know better
It's great that several of us with young ones are active on the forum, helps in an exchange of experiences and ideas.
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2013
- Messages
- 436
I love the conversation mike! It's only logical that aldabra's would all have the rise-up instinct for an evolutionary reason. It's not like they have had people around to rub them over past million years! Birds make the most sense! I just want to see it! Seeing is believing! This must be happening all the time. Where's the video!
Also, why does my guy physically engage more with more physical contact? Where would that behavior come from, what do they gain from additional physical contact? They're relational! It just feels good
Also, why does my guy physically engage more with more physical contact? Where would that behavior come from, what do they gain from additional physical contact? They're relational! It just feels good
Alaskamike
Well-Known Member
It seems reasonable to think that they can develop a bond in captivity. Here is a quote from an old book on the giant tortoises in the islands :
Tortoises have a classic example of a mutualistic symbiotic relationship with some species of Galápagos finch. The finch hops in front of the tortoise to show that it is ready and the tortoise then raises itself up high on its legs and stretches out its neck so that the bird can pick off ticks that are hidden in the folds of the skin (especially on the rear legs, cloacal opening, neck, and skin between plastron and carapace), thus freeing the tortoise from harmful parasites and providing the finch with an easy meal. Other birds, including Galápagos Hawk and flycatchers, use tortoises as observation posts from which to sight their prey."
Tortoises have a classic example of a mutualistic symbiotic relationship with some species of Galápagos finch. The finch hops in front of the tortoise to show that it is ready and the tortoise then raises itself up high on its legs and stretches out its neck so that the bird can pick off ticks that are hidden in the folds of the skin (especially on the rear legs, cloacal opening, neck, and skin between plastron and carapace), thus freeing the tortoise from harmful parasites and providing the finch with an easy meal. Other birds, including Galápagos Hawk and flycatchers, use tortoises as observation posts from which to sight their prey."
Alaskamike
Well-Known Member
Here's a quote from the Galopagus conservatory
It is quite common to see the tiny birds of Galapagos, such as Darwin’s finches and Vermillion Flycatchers, perched on top of the shells of their oversized giant tortoise companions. Some finch species have developed a mutualistic relationship with giant tortoises, feeding on the ticks that hide in the folds of the tortoise’s reptilian skin. In fact, these birds will dance around in front of the tortoise to indicate that they are ready to eat, and the tortoise then responds by standing tall and stretching out its neck to “expose the buffet.”
While this is about Gallops , the Aldabra does the same thing.
It is quite common to see the tiny birds of Galapagos, such as Darwin’s finches and Vermillion Flycatchers, perched on top of the shells of their oversized giant tortoise companions. Some finch species have developed a mutualistic relationship with giant tortoises, feeding on the ticks that hide in the folds of the tortoise’s reptilian skin. In fact, these birds will dance around in front of the tortoise to indicate that they are ready to eat, and the tortoise then responds by standing tall and stretching out its neck to “expose the buffet.”
While this is about Gallops , the Aldabra does the same thing.
Alaskamike
Well-Known Member
Here is a video of a Gallop standing to be cleaned, couldn't find the one I saw of an Aldabra doing the same thing
http://www.arkive.org/galapagos-giant-tortoise/chelonoidis-nigra/video-11.html
http://www.arkive.org/galapagos-giant-tortoise/chelonoidis-nigra/video-11.html
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2013
- Messages
- 436
Mike, great info! You rock! I have not been able to get the vid to load, but I won't give up!
Thanks.
Thanks.
Soefianto
Active Member
Happy Birthday Mike!!!!!
Wish you all the best...
God Bless You..
Wish you all the best...
God Bless You..
Alaskamike
Well-Known Member
Cupcake 2523 grams today - 5.56 lbs. Up 5% from last month. This was his slowest gain in a month so far, while last month was his largest at an 11% gain. Seems to go in spurts.
Alaskamike
Well-Known Member
Chow day
Excellent
Alaskamike
Well-Known Member
CupCake weighs 2713 grams today , 5.9 lbs. a gain of. 7%
cupcake looks great,make me feel like i should get one too,lol, do i need a special permit for having aldabra or no?
Alaskamike
Well-Known Member
Good to know , thanks
~ No special licensing or permits required, however might be a good idea to check with your home owners association if that applies!
I see ,thanks Aldabraman,i know u are the aldabra breeder ,so are there any available ? can pm me the price and size please,thanks
Alaskamike
Well-Known Member
~ I shared that video on Facebook at least five times, great job!
Alaskamike
Well-Known Member
CupCake grazing in her garden 
