Can Aldabra swim?

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narattah

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I have seen an Aldabra swimming in a Seychelle Island documentary. They said that it could swim and survive on the water for up to a month.

Aldabra-giant-tortoise-swimming.jpg


I wonder if our captive bred Aldabras are able to swim like in the wild. Have anyone ever tried e.g. maybe during a soak? Do they enjoy swimming? I'm afraid mine would drown.
 

Yvonne G

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That's the theory on how they and the Galops got to their island homes...swam. Because of their high-domed shell which is full of air, they are able to float.
 

narattah

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Yeah, looks like their ancestors are intelligent.
How about the flat shell type of Aldabra (forgot the sub-specie name, Arnold something?)? I wonder how they made it.
So I guess Aldabra and Galapagos tortoises are the only two species that can float on water and swim.
 

Yvonne G

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The flat ones probably evolved flat already on the island.

Leopards can swim. Probably most of the high-domed tortoises are able to swim.
 

PeanutbuttER

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I seem to remember a documentary a while back that showed a yellowfoot swimming as well.
 

ALDABRAMAN

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I think what I remember from back in the day is that most wild tortoises are lighter and captive are much heavier due to diet. I think ours would sink. Good question.
 
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