growth rate of aldabra

max strate

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first off I do know and understand these guys get massive. But I am curious as to their growth rate. I have had some breeders tell me that they start out at one half an inch at hatcings. and I have found other reports of two and a half inches. Was contemplating buying from 1 breeder who tells me his four and a half year old 5 inches.then I have heard that the should be that size at about 6 months to a year. I am assuming somebody on here knows the truth lol
 

Holycow

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Remember - growth rate is a result of environment, nutrition, and genetics (not necessarily in that order)- each one bringing so many variables that it boggles the mind. We can only control the environment and the nutrition, do your research, vary a proper diet, keep them warm and humid with plenty of room to move. That's all you really have to do. It's just that "easy."
PS: a healthy four and a half year old Aldabra should be larger than 5 inches, mine is less than 2 years and is around 10 inches (kept outdoors in FL high humidity unlimited food and plenty of space).
Also watch out for scammers trying to sell you animals that do not exist. There are MANY horror stories about people losing thousands looking for this type of tortoise.
Hope this helps.
-Jeff
 

wellington

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By the sounds of things, I wouodnt buy from the breeder you mentioned. His torts seem way under sized to what Aldabraman said
 

franz_see

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I have about 18 sulcatas in my tortoise growth chart collection (http://bit.ly/tortoise-growth-charts). Not much to be considered statistically significant, so this is more anecdotal than anything else :) But these sulcatas grow at about 23% in weight per month. The range is roughly somewhere between 13 - 34% per month for most of these guys. Some grow slower, some grow faster.

Since Aldabras are bigger than Sulcatas, I would suspect them to grow as fast or faster than sulcatas :)
 

Alaskamike

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I agree. I would NOT buy from that " breeder". I think you got false info. Also watch out for "deals" and "steals". If the price is way below market it is likely a scam.

Before I got mine from Aldabraman, I was corresponding with someone in Ohio on a 5 y.o. Came right down to negotiating shipping when I wrote and told them my brother in Indiana would just drive and get it - pay cash.

They blocked my email & never heard from them again.

Too big and long term investment to take chances. My " Cupcake" is going on 14 months old now and 3.72 lbs. not big for age, but not small either. Healthy.
 

Jordy2345

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Hello new here and did a lot of homework before finally purchasing my dream tort. Still have a lot to learn and questions though so thought I’d join a forum with others of varying knowledge and experience! Here’s a pic of my Aldabra, Wally just got him yesterday overnighted from Florida to Ohio. Slight pyramiding as he’s originally from Sychellis islands so it’s hit or miss with the nutrition they were getting from who was breeding and shipping them. Anyhow he’s roughly 5 inches I’m only measuring shell and from all that I’ve learned I would guess he is about a year old? Any thoughts? Thanks!
Jordan
 

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waswondering

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Hello new here and did a lot of homework before finally purchasing my dream tort. Still have a lot to learn and questions though so thought I’d join a forum with others of varying knowledge and experience! Here’s a pic of my Aldabra, Wally just got him yesterday overnighted from Florida to Ohio. Slight pyramiding as he’s originally from Sychellis islands so it’s hit or miss with the nutrition they were getting from who was breeding and shipping them. Anyhow he’s roughly 5 inches I’m only measuring shell and from all that I’ve learned I would guess he is about a year old? Any thoughts? Thanks!
Jordan
2 things.
1: you should remove the moss from the enclosure ASAP, it's an impaction risk that has no benefit to the tortoise.
2: I would say the tortoise is about 8-10 months but size can vary quite a bit in aldabra.
 

Jordy2345

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2 things.
1: you should remove the moss from the enclosure ASAP, it's an impaction risk that has no benefit to the tortoise.
2: I would say the tortoise is about 8-10 months but size can vary quite a bit in aldabra.
Thank you I got rid of just about all of it but a few small specks in there here and there and will be replacing soon with reptile carpet made of coconut fiber
 

Jordy2345

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He’s doing great and already at about 5 inches since having him for a month. I got him a little over 4 and a half
 

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