Aldabra tortoise from South korea...

khanz

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2015
Messages
78
Location (City and/or State)
Seoul, Republic of Korea
How is Sparta doing looks like he/she has grown? How old is he/she know?
I had heard from breeder Sparta was hatched at March 5, 2015. He/she is a 10 months old species as you know. I don't know his/her gender but I hope to that Sparta grow up to male aldabra tortoise like as Aldabraman's smallest male aldabra, Sampson. :)
 

Amanda81

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Jun 24, 2014
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710
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Northeast Tennessee
Hello. I noticed ya thread and that ya needed help w your little guys enclosure. I house my guy inside during winter months as well. Before I got mine I spoke w the breeder I purchased him from and he was super nice and sent me a care sheet he created. It kinda breaks down the care for them by age and then he also added a little section that explained how he currently cared for the ones he sales, it helped so that once my guy was here it wasn't a complete and total difference. Anyhow, I am not expert by no means and I am always looking for ways to improve my own enclosures but the one I'm using at the moment has served me and my guy pretty well. It hold humidity and heat very well, I was able to plant it will all live plants that my guy can munch on as he wants, he has a feeding station that's easy to pull out and scrub down as needed. He had an area for a "soak pool" that he absolutely loves. When I got my guy he was just over 4" and less then a pound.
So my basics. The enclosure is 8' long and 4' wide. It's made from plywood panels and it's got the floor supports spaced so that I can climb up into it and it will hold my body weight without problem. (This enclosure was built w the intention of housing him 1 winter only) I built the front of it up so that my substrate is 4-6" deep at any given spot. I used a thick plastic sheeting to line it for water proofing reasons. I used peat moss and Eco Earth mixed for the 4" bottom layer of substrate. I then used repti bark to top of the soil, just for neatness issues. The bark is about 2" deep give or take spits here and there. I have been able to plant live plants and they grow and thrive without anything more then a little water each week. I originally used a tree trunk and created him a hide but due to a dampness problem I had to redo it a couple months ago so now I have a black dish pan sunk to the floor, the soil back pushed against the pan walls to hide it, I have a funky shaped tree trunk set up over the tub and then a fern draped across the front and opening to give it a closed up feeling. I filled the tub half way w bark only and he loves it. I have thermometers w humidity gauges as well, 1 that reads his hide, 1 that reads his "warm side", and 1 that reads his "cool side".
On his warm end I have his sunning rock under a UVB light, his rock reads a constant 97°. I have 2 small containers set under the light but to the back so that he can't knock them over and I keep those full of water, it helps w humidity levels. A foot or so from his sun rock he has his "soak pool", he loves his pool and uses it daily.
On his cool side he has his feed and water station. I use 2 ceramic tile that has a slight gritty surface, it's gritty enough for traction but still easy to scrub clean. I feed on 1 tile and his water dish sits on the other. I've found that keeping the food to the cool side helps w the food lasting longer, it doesn't wilting as bad.
I have a regular 4' fluorescent shop light hung from the top in center to provide a bright light through out enclosure. I also use a 4' tube type UVB light hung from the roof in the center for UVB light throughout enclosure. It's hung about 16" from substrate. I use the med zoo high output 10.0 so 16" is height is ok. Depending on what u use your height might b different. I change the bulb each fall so he has new fresh bulb for the winter months. I usually have to house him full time inside from late November to around mid April. Once mid April hits I'm able to take him out on warmer days but back in at night.
This enclosure has served my needs well. This is the third one I've built, my first was a sad sad box and the second one was a little step up but this third one has really served its purpose.
I will dig through and post some pics of the enclosure if it will help ya.
 

Oxalis

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Hello. I noticed ya thread and that ya needed help w your little guys enclosure. I house my guy inside during winter months as well. Before I got mine I spoke w the breeder I purchased him from and he was super nice and sent me a care sheet he created. It kinda breaks down the care for them by age and then he also added a little section that explained how he currently cared for the ones he sales, it helped so that once my guy was here it wasn't a complete and total difference. Anyhow, I am not expert by no means and I am always looking for ways to improve my own enclosures but the one I'm using at the moment has served me and my guy pretty well. It hold humidity and heat very well, I was able to plant it will all live plants that my guy can munch on as he wants, he has a feeding station that's easy to pull out and scrub down as needed. He had an area for a "soak pool" that he absolutely loves. When I got my guy he was just over 4" and less then a pound.
So my basics. The enclosure is 8' long and 4' wide. It's made from plywood panels and it's got the floor supports spaced so that I can climb up into it and it will hold my body weight without problem. (This enclosure was built w the intention of housing him 1 winter only) I built the front of it up so that my substrate is 4-6" deep at any given spot. I used a thick plastic sheeting to line it for water proofing reasons. I used peat moss and Eco Earth mixed for the 4" bottom layer of substrate. I then used repti bark to top of the soil, just for neatness issues. The bark is about 2" deep give or take spits here and there. I have been able to plant live plants and they grow and thrive without anything more then a little water each week. I originally used a tree trunk and created him a hide but due to a dampness problem I had to redo it a couple months ago so now I have a black dish pan sunk to the floor, the soil back pushed against the pan walls to hide it, I have a funky shaped tree trunk set up over the tub and then a fern draped across the front and opening to give it a closed up feeling. I filled the tub half way w bark only and he loves it. I have thermometers w humidity gauges as well, 1 that reads his hide, 1 that reads his "warm side", and 1 that reads his "cool side".
On his warm end I have his sunning rock under a UVB light, his rock reads a constant 97°. I have 2 small containers set under the light but to the back so that he can't knock them over and I keep those full of water, it helps w humidity levels. A foot or so from his sun rock he has his "soak pool", he loves his pool and uses it daily.
On his cool side he has his feed and water station. I use 2 ceramic tile that has a slight gritty surface, it's gritty enough for traction but still easy to scrub clean. I feed on 1 tile and his water dish sits on the other. I've found that keeping the food to the cool side helps w the food lasting longer, it doesn't wilting as bad.
I have a regular 4' fluorescent shop light hung from the top in center to provide a bright light through out enclosure. I also use a 4' tube type UVB light hung from the roof in the center for UVB light throughout enclosure. It's hung about 16" from substrate. I use the med zoo high output 10.0 so 16" is height is ok. Depending on what u use your height might b different. I change the bulb each fall so he has new fresh bulb for the winter months. I usually have to house him full time inside from late November to around mid April. Once mid April hits I'm able to take him out on warmer days but back in at night.
This enclosure has served my needs well. This is the third one I've built, my first was a sad sad box and the second one was a little step up but this third one has really served its purpose.
I will dig through and post some pics of the enclosure if it will help ya.
Wow! Would love to see some photos of that!!
I would appreciate your consideration and adivices. I'll do it as you said and I'll do my best for my baby aldabra tortoise, "Sparta"!!! Thank you very much!!! :)View attachment 166049View attachment 166050
Sparta is quite the cutie-pie! :) I'm really beginning to love the little aldabras more and more every day! :<3:
 

khanz

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2015
Messages
78
Location (City and/or State)
Seoul, Republic of Korea
Hello. I noticed ya thread and that ya needed help w your little guys enclosure. I house my guy inside during winter months as well. Before I got mine I spoke w the breeder I purchased him from and he was super nice and sent me a care sheet he created. It kinda breaks down the care for them by age and then he also added a little section that explained how he currently cared for the ones he sales, it helped so that once my guy was here it wasn't a complete and total difference. Anyhow, I am not expert by no means and I am always looking for ways to improve my own enclosures but the one I'm using at the moment has served me and my guy pretty well. It hold humidity and heat very well, I was able to plant it will all live plants that my guy can munch on as he wants, he has a feeding station that's easy to pull out and scrub down as needed. He had an area for a "soak pool" that he absolutely loves. When I got my guy he was just over 4" and less then a pound.
So my basics. The enclosure is 8' long and 4' wide. It's made from plywood panels and it's got the floor supports spaced so that I can climb up into it and it will hold my body weight without problem. (This enclosure was built w the intention of housing him 1 winter only) I built the front of it up so that my substrate is 4-6" deep at any given spot. I used a thick plastic sheeting to line it for water proofing reasons. I used peat moss and Eco Earth mixed for the 4" bottom layer of substrate. I then used repti bark to top of the soil, just for neatness issues. The bark is about 2" deep give or take spits here and there. I have been able to plant live plants and they grow and thrive without anything more then a little water each week. I originally used a tree trunk and created him a hide but due to a dampness problem I had to redo it a couple months ago so now I have a black dish pan sunk to the floor, the soil back pushed against the pan walls to hide it, I have a funky shaped tree trunk set up over the tub and then a fern draped across the front and opening to give it a closed up feeling. I filled the tub half way w bark only and he loves it. I have thermometers w humidity gauges as well, 1 that reads his hide, 1 that reads his "warm side", and 1 that reads his "cool side".
On his warm end I have his sunning rock under a UVB light, his rock reads a constant 97°. I have 2 small containers set under the light but to the back so that he can't knock them over and I keep those full of water, it helps w humidity levels. A foot or so from his sun rock he has his "soak pool", he loves his pool and uses it daily.
On his cool side he has his feed and water station. I use 2 ceramic tile that has a slight gritty surface, it's gritty enough for traction but still easy to scrub clean. I feed on 1 tile and his water dish sits on the other. I've found that keeping the food to the cool side helps w the food lasting longer, it doesn't wilting as bad.
I have a regular 4' fluorescent shop light hung from the top in center to provide a bright light through out enclosure. I also use a 4' tube type UVB light hung from the roof in the center for UVB light throughout enclosure. It's hung about 16" from substrate. I use the med zoo high output 10.0 so 16" is height is ok. Depending on what u use your height might b different. I change the bulb each fall so he has new fresh bulb for the winter months. I usually have to house him full time inside from late November to around mid April. Once mid April hits I'm able to take him out on warmer days but back in at night.
This enclosure has served my needs well. This is the third one I've built, my first was a sad sad box and the second one was a little step up but this third one has really served its purpose.
I will dig through and post some pics of the enclosure if it will help ya.

Great!!! :) Thank you so much!!! I hope to see your pics. It'll be big help to me.ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1462065049.725872.jpg
 

Pan Li

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Joined
Sep 15, 2014
Messages
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Beautiful little guy!!! I remember when mine is this little. They grow so fast. Mine is way over 70 lb now.
 

wellington

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Pan Li

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Thank you!! I have known about your aldabra tortoise at your instagram account :) Your aldabra is so adorable and beautiful. Great!!!View attachment 172507View attachment 172508View attachment 172509
And I highly recommend Mazuri tortoise diet. I have fed my aldabra Mazuri diet for over three years now. For your babe, you should wet the pallet. I give the tortoise diet everyday and green veges everyweek. And some fruit treats every month.
 

khanz

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Joined
Jul 9, 2015
Messages
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Seoul, Republic of Korea
You have a beautiful baby, I would not feed it on sand. This could be very dangerous, as sand can and does cause impactions. Also easy on fruit. Too much sugar in them so only give as a treat maybe once a month.
Thank you so much for your help and advices! Thank you!! :)
 

khanz

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2015
Messages
78
Location (City and/or State)
Seoul, Republic of Korea
And I highly recommend Mazuri tortoise diet. I have fed my aldabra Mazuri diet for over three years now. For your babe, you should wet the pallet. I give the tortoise diet everyday and green veges everyweek. And some fruit treats every month.
Thank you so much!! Your advices are so big help to me and my tortoise!! I'll do my best for my aldabra baby~ :)
 

Oxalis

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You have a beautiful baby, I would not feed it on sand. This could be very dangerous, as sand can and does cause impactions. Also easy on fruit. Too much sugar in them so only give as a treat maybe once a month.
I can eat those raspberries for you! ;)
 
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