Is a Aldabra tortoise lonely when kept alone ?

Bee62

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Hello,

I live in Germany and I dream to keep an aldabra tortoise. I have the right property and a heated stable for such a big tortoise but it will be expensive to buy one and to keep this tortoise in my climate. So I would buy only one tortoise.
My questions is: Would one aldabra tortoise be lonely or feel lonely when I keep only one animal ? I see the herd of aldabra tortoises from our member @ALDABRAMAN friendly grazing together. They seem to be happy living together.
I know that tortoises don`t need a friend, but I am not sure if aldabra tortoises are different.
What is your opinion ? When I keep an animal I don`t want that it could suffer from being alone.
Thank you for your answers.

Sabine
 

KarenSoCal

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ALDABRAMAN

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Hello,

I have the right property // one

My questions is: Would one aldabra tortoise be lonely or feel lonely when I keep only one animal ?

@ALDABRAMAN

~ One should be perfectly happy and content to be solo.

~ We have many customers that only have one by choice. Usually when folks buy more it is typically influenced on either misinformation by the seller to get additional sales and/or the keeper just wants several for personal reasons.

~ However, they do great in groups. We tend to believe that they simply do the same things and go the same places, etc. for reasons other than companionship.

 

wellington

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ben awes

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I am Uncle Bri's keeper. I added two yearlings about 18 months ago. I have no evidence that he would do better or does better with companionship, but I've also never seen evidence they don't do better with companionship. I simply wanted additional animals and I believe that intrinsically most animals are not designed to be alone. If I am going to err, I would rather err on that side than the other.
 

Bee62

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~ One should be perfectly happy and content to be solo.

~ We have many customers that only have one by choice. Usually when folks buy more it is typically influenced on either misinformation by the seller to get additional sales and/or the keeper just wants several for personal reasons.

~ However, they do great in groups. We tend to believe that they simply do the same things and go the same places, etc. for reasons other than companionship.

Thank you very much for your aswer. When you say that one would not feel alone I believe it and feel not bad when I buy only one tortoise.
 

Bee62

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I am Uncle Bri's keeper. I added two yearlings about 18 months ago. I have no evidence that he would do better or does better with companionship, but I've also never seen evidence they don't do better with companionship. I simply wanted additional animals and I believe that intrinsically most animals are not designed to be alone. If I am going to err, I would rather err on that side than the other.
Hi Uncle Bri`s keeper. I read your whole thread. Uncle Bri is a beautiful tortoise and your thread about him or her is really interesting.
You are living in a colder climate too ?
This year we have a very hot and dry summer in Germany but I believe that this summer will be unique and it will not be the same weather next year.
How do you keep your big tortoises when it is cold outside ?
 

ben awes

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Hello Bee62, I keep my torts inside during the winter. I have dedicated a large portion of my basement to them. It'll be too small in the long run, but for now it works. Eventually I need a larger garage/shed for them, or I have to move to a larger property! It's not hard to deal with the cold if you have the space for them. Humidity is more difficult. They need high humidity. I keep humidifiers going in their space 24/7 during the winter.
 

TammyJ

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I am Uncle Bri's keeper. I added two yearlings about 18 months ago. I have no evidence that he would do better or does better with companionship, but I've also never seen evidence they don't do better with companionship. I simply wanted additional animals and I believe that intrinsically most animals are not designed to be alone. If I am going to err, I would rather err on that side than the other.
I agree that some animals (like us humans) are "social" animals and not "designed to be alone." If we were alone all the time we would quickly become extinct. But some animals do better on their own until they happen to meet their opposite sex, like snakes, and thus the species continues. Basically I think that reptiles are healthier and more comfortable being kept alone, and it certainly prevents any unfortunate fights and injuries.
 

ALDABRAMAN

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But some animals do better on their own until they happen to meet their opposite sex // Basically I think that reptiles are healthier and more comfortable being kept alone

~ This species, at least based on our observations, feedback, etc. basically agree.

 
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