Aldabra giant tortoise

The Aldabra giant tortoise is named after the discovery on Aldabra Island and is a very large land tortoise species. Many turtle friends will try to raise such an expensive species, but there are also risks because it may have a longer lifespan than you a.

Chinese Name: 亚达伯拉象龟

Scientific Name: Geochelonegigantean

English Name: Dipsochelysdussumieri

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Order: Testudines

Suborder: Cryptodira

Family: Testudinidae

Genus: Aldabrachelys

Species: Aldabrachelysgiant

Distribution: Western Indian Ocean, Aldabra Island.

Appearance: The Aldabra giant tortoise has a large head and a long neck. The central part of the carapace is high and raised, with 5 vertebral scutes; each side has 4 costal scutes; each margin has 9 marginals with slightly serrated edges, which are slightly upturned; there is 1 nuchal scute; the single pygal scute is larger.

Habitat: The Aldabra giant tortoise can adapt well to the environment of artificial breeding. It has a similar diet to leopard tortoise and sulcata tortoise, and can accept any plant-based food. Its temperament is mild. However, it is necessary to have sufficient space planning when raising such a large creature.

Reproduction: The Aldabra giant tortoise is oviparous, with each clutch producing 12-14 eggs. Females can lay 9-25 tennis ball-sized eggs, which hatch in about 98-200 days.

Diet: It mainly feeds on plants, but sometimes also eats animal carcasses.

Conservation status: The Aldabra giant tortoise is a protected species under CITES Appendix II.

Price: The Aldabra giant tortoise is one of the most expensive land turtles, with the price of young specimens being over 15,000 RMB. However, with the increasing number of human breeding and a decrease in market demand, the price of Aldabra tortoises is not expected to remain high.

The Aldabra Atoll is composed of four coral atolls and is located north of Madagascar Island on the east coast of Africa. There were once 18 species of tortoises in this area, but a large number of them became extinct between the 18th and 19th centuries, leaving only the unique Aldabra species, named after the atoll. This species was controversially considered to be the same as the Aldabra giant tortoise species, but it is still preserved as a separate species. This species has been classified under different "genera" in the family of land tortoises and has left many synonymous names in history. It was initially classified as the "Aldabra giant tortoise genus" (Aldabrachelys, Dipsochelis, Megalochelys), and was also classified under the "genus" (Testudo), but in 1996, it was finally classified under the "giant tortoise genus"

Not recommended for keeping, the Aldabra giant tortoise cannot be kept. The Aldabra giant tortoise is a land tortoise species, and all land turtles in our country are protected animals, so they cannot be kept. Although land turtles cannot be kept, you can keep aquatic turtles and semi-aquatic turtles. Aquatic turtles have a strong dependence on water and need to be soaked in water all the time, while some species of semi-aquatic turtles can be kept out of water, and they feel similar to land turtles when raised. However, not all semi-aquatic turtles and aquatic turtles can be kept.

1. Gonorrhea

At the onset of the disease, there are red shadows in the excretory orifice, which are generally difficult to see at the beginning. When touching the hind legs and tail with hands, the reaction is dull. In severe cases, the tortoise cannot crawl, the excretory orifice is loose, and there is a foul smell.

2. Liver disease

During the onset of the disease, the spirit is poor and the movements are sluggish. In severe cases, the tortoise hangs its head, shuts its eyes, and the liver is severely damaged, making it the number one killer that requires prompt treatment.

3. Respiratory tract infection

In the early stage, there is coughing, and chunky white mucus is secreted from the turtle's mouth. The feces have a foul smell, and it can develop into pneumonia when the temperature is high.

4. Limp

There are two types: one is non-swelling, and the other is abscess, which can cause osteonecrosis, paralysis, and death.

5. Respiratory infection pneumonia

There are small foams when the tortoise opens its mouth, breathing is obstructed, the spirit is poor, the appetite decreases rapidly, and the reaction is dull. In the later stage, the neck twitches when the mouth opens, and there is mucus in the nostrils.

6. Bilateral disease with closed eyes

Usually occurs in combination with other diseases, such as pneumonia, gonorrhea, liver disease, etc. The eye pouches dry up, and if the eyes are closed for a long time, the mortality rate is high.

7. Edema

Generalized edema, with upper limbs and half of the hind limbs swollen, in severe cases, the tortoise cannot crawl.

8. Dystocia

At the onset of the disease, the excretory orifice often contracts, and in severe cases, it may bleed and cause genital infection. In the later stage, the reproductive organs are exposed. Prevention is better than treatment.

9. Gastroenteritis

The spirit is dull, and in severe cases, the tortoise does not eat or move. The feces have a foul smell, and the excretory orifice secretes mucus for a long time.

10. Conjunctivitis

At the early stage, there is a gray-white circle in the middle of the eyeball. The forelimbs are often used to rub the eyes, and in severe cases, the center of the fish eyeball is sunken and the eye pouch is dry. If not treated in time, it can cause insomnia.

11. Floating syndrome

Caused by long-term malnutrition, the excretory orifice is infected by bacteria. In severe cases, the hind limbs are weak and cannot swim in water. The tortoise is weak and floats on the water surface, and eventually drowns and swells.

12. Deformation

Caused by breeding techniques, mainly found in juvenile turtles. The turtle's body is fat, the limbs are bent, and the hind limbs are weak when crawling, with soft carapace and plastron. The growth line in the middle of the plastron is diagonal, and the shell grows irregularly. In severe cases, deformities occur.

13. Ulcerative carapace disease

This disease is more common in mature turtles, initially localized. When pressed down on the affected area of the turtle's shell, a small amount of pus will flow out. This disease is latent. If not treated in time, it will spread locally.

14. Ulcerative neck disease

Mostly caused by bites during mating, more common in female turtles. There are injuries on both sides of the neck, which then ulcerate and need to be treated.

15. Necrosis

If the turtle's body has existing injuries and dead tissue is not removed, fresh flesh will grow around the affected area, covering the dead tissue and forming necrosis, which will affect the turtle's health.

16. Cutaneous water mold

This disease is latent. At the beginning, gray-white mold spots appear on the eyelids, nostrils, skin, and toes. In severe cases, red swelling appears on the chin.

17. Trauma

There are bite marks, redness, and swelling on the turtle's limbs, tail, skin, and neck. In severe cases, abscesses can form. It is caused by bacterial infection due to self-injury and skin abrasions during fights, resulting in serious consequences because it is not discovered or considered insignificant at the beginning and not treated in time.

The Aldabra giant tortoise is usually a herbivorous tortoise that eats plant leaves in its native habitat. Its tall stature and long neck provide convenience in reaching higher food sources. It is also a determined species of tortoise that can travel long distances in search of food.

The Aldabra giant tortoise is a herbivore that eats grass, leaves, and woody plant stems. However, it may occasionally consume small invertebrates and carrion, and even the carcasses of dead tortoises. In captivity, the Aldabra giant tortoise mostly consumes fruits such as apples, bananas, and compressed vegetable food. Since there is little fresh water available in their natural habitat, they obtain most of their body's required water from their food.

The shell shape of the Aldabra giant tortoise mainly falls into two categories. When the food provided in the habitat is primarily obtained from the ground, the shell on its neck appears as a rounded dome with the neck stone extending downwards. When the food provided in the habitat is predominantly obtained from higher environments, the upper shell becomes flatter to facilitate the neck's upward extension for feeding. In daily care, the management and feeding of the tortoise require the caretaker to be diligent, attentive, and cautious. They should daily monitor the tortoise's activity, food intake, and feces, and keep a diary. Unhealthy tortoises should be promptly separated and isolated for proper care.