SanctuaryHills
Active Member
By the way, when I do end up getting a buddy for Mitch it will be another Aldabra. Fell in love with these giants. @maggie3fanI only have the one Aldabra tortoise for now. But it's going to need a buddy soon
By the way, when I do end up getting a buddy for Mitch it will be another Aldabra. Fell in love with these giants. @maggie3fanI only have the one Aldabra tortoise for now. But it's going to need a buddy soon
Thank you for the feeedback!The enclosure seems like a good size to start, our first enclosure was 8x12. It looks like your night box is going to be way too small pretty quickly though. It will need to be large enough to get one more more heat sources inside and have room for the thermostat and other accessories like that to stay dry.
I wonder how they will react to having their enclosure moved around. Ours are serious creatures of habit and hate being moved to new locations. Maybe they will get accustomed to it if you do it from the beginning.
I only have the one Aldabra tortoise for now. But it's going to need a buddy soon
Well... since you asked...I have experience with reptiles, but a total tortoise newb, so please do call me out on anything you see wrong.
As usual I screwed up...I was commenting about another thread...I simply confused myself...By the way, when I do end up getting a buddy for Mitch it will be another Aldabra. Fell in love with these giants. @maggie3fan
Thank you Tom! I'll go through the links you shared and build something proven to work by the community. No need to reinvent the wheel I suppose.Well... since you asked...
Aldabras are not known to be combative, but tortoises should never be kept in pairs. Even docile species. One will always be dominant and the other submissive. The long term chronic stress will damage both. Singles are best, and groups can work too, but never pairs.
Here are some night box design ideas that will last at least a few years. After that you'l have to go big.
Single Tortoise Night Box
I like my larger tortoises to live outside full time. My climate permits this year round with a little help. For people who live where it snows all winter, this type of box is still good for warmer weather, getting them out earlier in Spring, and keeping them out a bit later into fall. You'll...tortoiseforum.orgDouble Door Night Box
As the years have gone by and I build more of these boxes, I learn more and more each time. This one is the latest and I incorporated everything I've learned over the years. I also tried to take lots of pics so I can explain in more detail some of what is going on. It will take multiple posts to...tortoiseforum.orgHere is the 4x8 rendering of Tom's Night Box. With Exploded view.
This is a rendering I did based off of @Tom 's heated night box enclosure. Its probably not a 100% accurate. Door is offset to one side for my personal needs but can easily be moved. Let me know if you see any issues with it. Feed back appreciated. High res renderings can be downloaded here...tortoiseforum.orgWhat You'll Need to Build A Night Box
I just typed up a list of the needed supplies to build a night box and thought I'd copy paste it here: For sulcatas, I make the doors 26x16". This will fit all but the largest of large males for their entire life. If you end up with one of the giants, you will eventually have to make another...tortoiseforum.org
Great tip on the fire ants. I'll make sure to check regularly. Thankfully my night setup is fairly easy to clean up.If I can add to Tom's night box design info. If you have more than one Aldabra try to make sure that the doorway to the nightbox is two to three times the width of the largest tortoise. Ours will often sit in the doorway and block access in or out for the others.
Another important tip for Florida. Check the nightbox for fire ants regularly. They like the protection from the rain too and are often attracted to the electricity present in the box.
No, not age related. The pair thing is true at any age. Aldabras, along with stars, and possibly Redfoots too, do seem to be more gregarious than some species like desert torts, Russians, or Indotestudo species, but the pair thing still applies.Thank you Tom! I'll go through the links you shared and build something proven to work by the community. No need to reinvent the wheel I suppose.
Thank you for the advise on companionship. I had seen elsewhere that Aldabras specifically were different in this regard. That they liked to walk in pairs and even sleep with their heads tucked inside another's shell. That's what made me want to get a second one to begin with ?.
Is it an age thing?
Thank you again Tom!
Don't get one more. Get two or three more!!!Regarding widening the entrance: Noted. But now I'm not I'm not sure if I should really get another Aldabra . See Tom's post above.
I mean if that's the expert opinion then I hope the wife understands the purchase of two additional turtoises ?No, not age related. The pair thing is true at any age. Aldabras, along with stars, and possibly Redfoots too, do seem to be more gregarious than some species like desert torts, Russians, or Indotestudo species, but the pair thing still applies.
Don't get one more. Get two or three more!!!
You tell her Tom said so!I mean if that's the expert opinion then I hope the wife understands the purchase of two additional turtoises ?
I will add in addition to what Tom has said... WIth galapagos, which are a bit more combative than aldabras, I have found raising one by itself makes it a bit more used to being alone, and when later put with others, it is either extremely timid, or overly dominant trying to find its place. I am of the opinion that they do best when raised in a group as opposed to added to a group later. I much prefer the dynamics of one raised with others as opposed to alone unless you plan on keeping it alone long-term.I mean if that's the expert opinion then I hope the wife understands the purchase of two additional turtoises ?
Agreed on all counts.I will add in addition to what Tom has said... WIth galapagos, which are a bit more combative than aldabras, I have found raising one by itself makes it a bit more used to being alone, and when later put with others, it is either extremely timid, or overly dominant trying to find its place. I am of the opinion that they do best when raised in a group as opposed to added to a group later. I much prefer the dynamics of one raised with others as opposed to alone unless you plan on keeping it alone long-term.
I planted three leaves about a week ago! Got a few hibiscus goin in the ground as well.Wow, three now. Good for you. I would start planting prickly pear cactus all over the yard soon. My wife tried to convince me of this but I hate the look of it and always resisted. I should have listened though. Our three are 3 to 4 years old and can polish off a 5 gallon bucket full of pads in a day already.