We get many e-mails regarding aldabra habitat flooring. Truthfully, we have no personal experience with northern weather conditions and minimal experience with keeping young aldabras inside. Over the years of working with our tortoises we have tried almost every potential option for outside enclosure flooring, wood, concrete, and even synthetic materials. What we have found is that sand is the best for several reasons. Wood harbors smell and is almost impossible to keep clean. Concrete scratches the plastrons, tends to get colder during the cooler months of the year, and is difficult to keep clean. Sand does not tend to harbor smell, easy to clean, and easy to add more if needed!
Another important thing that we have found is when housing your aldabra tortoises try to avoid any tight spaces that requires them to back out. We have found that an aldabra tortoise has difficulties backing up and tends to turn sideways in order to move.
If at all possible try to eliminate all exposed bolts and hinges. We have found that aldabras often make contact with the entrances and exits. They tend to push there way thru and make no effort to avoid anything in there way. This can cause great damage to there shells.
Another important thing that we have found is when housing your aldabra tortoises try to avoid any tight spaces that requires them to back out. We have found that an aldabra tortoise has difficulties backing up and tends to turn sideways in order to move.
If at all possible try to eliminate all exposed bolts and hinges. We have found that aldabras often make contact with the entrances and exits. They tend to push there way thru and make no effort to avoid anything in there way. This can cause great damage to there shells.
I'd live in it
