Aldabra Tortoise

Introduction

Scientific Name

Aldabrachelys gigantea

Species Name Meaning

Named after the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles, its only natural home.

Size & Lifespan

350–550 lbs; males can exceed 600 lbs. Carapace up to 4 ft. Lifespan 100–150+ years.

Native Habitat

Aldabra Atoll—grassy scrublands, coastal dunes, and mangrove edges.

Behaviors

Slow-moving grazers; enjoy basking; very food-motivated; curious but calm.

Social Structure

Semi-social—can be kept in groups if space is large enough.

Activity Cycle

Diurnal.

Why They Look This Way

Huge domed shell for protection; thick legs for supporting massive weight; long neck to reach brush.

Fun Facts

• One of the largest tortoise species on Earth.
• Known for forming “grazing herds.”
• Extremely strong—can push objects and fencing.

Enclosure

Aldabras require very large outdoor-focused enclosures. Minimum for juveniles: 8x8 ft. Sub-adults: 20x20 ft. Adults: 1,000 sq ft+ per animal with room to roam.

Substrate

Outdoor natural soil, grass, sand-soil mix; cypress mulch acceptable for indoor winter shelters.

Temps

Basking 95–100°F. Warm side 85–90°F. Cool side 75–80°F. Nights should not drop below 70°F.

Humidity

60–80% for juveniles, 40–60% for adults.

UVB

Required—prefer real sun; use 10.0 UVB or Mercury Vapor lamp indoors.

Heat Range/Tolerance

Ideal range 75–95°F. Can tolerate up to 105°F with shade/water. Cold below 65°F is dangerous—must bring inside or provide heated shelter.

Diet and Hydration

Primarily high-fiber grazers.

Weekly Feeding Schedule (Juveniles)

Daily

Graze or 2–4 cups mixed greens / grasses.

• 2x/week: Mazuri LS tortoise diet (small handful).

Sub-Adults/Adults

• Daily grazing on grass/hay.
• 3–5 lbs of mixed greens daily depending on size.
• Mazuri 3–4x/week as supplement.

Food Categories

Staples

Bermuda hay, orchard grass, hibiscus leaves/flowers, mulberry leaves, cactus pads, collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, spring mix, weeds (dandelion, clover).

Treats

Squash, pumpkin, bell peppers, fruits (very limited).

No Feed/Toxic

Spinach, kale daily (ok rarely), iceberg, dog/cat food, animal protein, rhubarb, avocado.

Hydration

Large shallow soaking area; they drink heavily after soaks. Offer clean water daily. Juveniles benefit from 2–3x weekly warm soaks.

Supplements

Calcium w/o D3 2–3x/week; with D3 once weekly if indoors. Multivitamin once weekly.

Diet Behavior Notes

Very food motivated; may push or climb to reach food—place food low and secure.

Health

Common risks include

• Respiratory infections (cold exposure).
• Pyramiding from low humidity or poor diet.
• Parasites (internal & external) from outdoor grazing.
• Shell rot if kept damp without heat.
• Gout from high-protein diets.

Handling

Aldabras are gentle but extremely heavy and powerful.

Handling is minimal once large; juveniles are handleable.

They do not get stressed easily but dislike being lifted. Move adults with carts, boards, or multiple handlers.

For shows

Juveniles/sub-adults can be excellent—they’re calm, friendly, slow-moving, and great for touching.

Adults are too large for transport but great for on-site encounters.

Requirements for Show Animals

• Super friendly — YES
• Not messy — Usually yes; low poop frequency
• 5+ shows/day — Juveniles yes
• Boxable — Juveniles yes
• Good with heat — Excellent