Aldabra Tortoise
Aldabrachelys Gigantea
Biggest Land Turtle Aldabra Tortoise Aldabrachelys Gigantea
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- From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia :
The Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea), from the islands of the Aldabra Atoll in theSeychelles, is one of the largest tortoises in the world.[6] Historically, giant tortoises were on many of the western Indian Ocean islands, as well as Madagascar, and the fossil record indicates giant tortoises once occurred on every continent and many islands with the exception of Australia and Antarctica.[7] Many of the Indian Ocean species were thought to be driven to extinction by over-exploitation by European sailors, and they were all seemingly extinct by 1840 with the exception of the Aldabran giant tortoise on the island atoll of Aldabra.[8] Although some remnant individuals of A. g. hololissa and A. g. arnoldi may remain in captivity,[8] in recent times, these have all been reduced as subspecies of A. g. gigantea.[5]
Description :
The carapace is a brown or tan color with a high, domed shape. It has stocky, heavily scaled legs to support its heavy body. The neck of the Aldabra giant tortoise is very long, even for its great size, which helps the animal to exploit tree branches up to a meter from the ground as a food source. Similar in size to the famous Galápagos giant tortoise, its carapace averages 122 cm (48 in) in length with an average weight of 250 kg (550 lb). Females are generally smaller than males, with average specimens measuring 91 cm (36 in) in length and weighing 159 kg (351 lb).[9] Medium-sized specimens in captivity were reported as 70 to 110 kg (150 to 240 lb) in body mass.[10] Another study found body masses of up to 132 kg (291 lb) most commonplace.[11]
Nomenclature and systematics :
This species is widely referred to as Aldabrachelys gigantea, but in recent times, attempts were made to use the name Dipsochelys as Dipsochelys dussumieri, but after a debate that lasted two years with many submissions, the ICZN eventually decided to conserve the name Testudo giganteaover this recently used name (ICZN 2013)[12] this also affected the genus name for the species, establishing Aldabrachelys gigantea as nomen protectum.
Four subspecies are currently recognized:[5]
-A. g. gigantea Schweigger 1812:327,[2] Aldabra giant tortoise from the Seychelles island of Aldabra
-A. g. arnoldi Bour 1982:118,[13] Arnold’s giant tortoise from the Seychelles island of Mahé
-A. g. daudinii Duméril and Bibron 1835:123,[3] Daudin’s giant tortoise, from the Seychelles island of Mahé (extinct 1850)[5]
-A. g. hololissa Günther 1877:39,[4] Seychelles giant tortoise, from the Seychelles islands of Cerf, Cousine, Frégate, Mahé, Praslin, Round, and Silhouette
Aldabra giant tortoise
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Subphylum:Vertebrata
Class:Reptilia
Order:Testudines
Suborder:Cryptodira
Superfamily:Testudinoidea
Family:Testudinidae
Genus:Aldabrachelys
Species:A. gigantea
Binomial name :
Aldabrachelys gigantea
(Schweigger, 1812)
Synonyms[5] :
-Testudo giganteaSchweigger, 1812: 327[2]
-Testudo dussumieriSchlegel in Gray, 1830: 3 (nomen nudum)
-Testudo dussumieri — Gray, 1831d: 9 (nomen rejectum, ICZN 2013)
-Testudo elephantinaA.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1835: 110[3]
-Testudo ponderosaGünther, 1877: 35[4]
-Testudo sumeirei Sauzier, 1892: 396
-Testudo gouffei Rothschild, 1906: 753
Range and distribution :
The main population of the Aldabra giant tortoise resides on the islands of the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles. The atoll has been protected from human influence and is home to some 100,000 giant tortoises, the world's largest population of the animal.[14] Smaller populations of A. gigantea in the Seychelles exist in the Sainte Anne Marine National Park (e.g. Moyenne Island).[15] Another isolated population of the species resides on the island of Changuu, near Zanzibar, and other captive populations exist in conservation parks in Mauritius and Rodrigues. The tortoises exploit many different kinds of habitat, including grasslands, low scrub, mangrove swamps, and coastal dunes.
An isolated population resides onChanguu island in Zanzibar
Ecology :
Habitat :
A peculiar habitat has coevolved due to the grazing pressures of the tortoises: "tortoise turf", a comingling of 20+ species of grasses and herbs. Many of these distinct plants are naturally dwarfed and grow their seeds not from the tops of the plants, but closer to the ground to avoid the tortoises' close-cropping jaws.
As the largest animal in its environment, the Aldabra tortoise performs a role similar to that of theelephant. Their vigorous search for food fells trees and creates pathways used by other animals.
Feeding ecology:
Primarily herbivores, Aldabra giant tortoises eat grasses, leaves, and woody plant stems. They occasionally indulge in small invertebrates and carrion, even eating the bodies of other dead tortoises. In captivity, Aldabra giant tortoises are known to consume fruits such as apples and bananas, as well as compressed vegetable pellets.
Little fresh water is available for drinking in the tortoises' natural habitat, so they obtain most of their moisture from their food.
The Aldabra tortoise has two main varieties of shells. Specimens living in habitats with food available primarily on the ground have more dome-shaped shells with the front extending downward over the neck. Those living in an environment with food available higher above the ground have more flattened top shells with the front raised to allow the neck to extend upward freely.
Tortoise turf :
The Aldabra giant tortoise is an herbivorous animal, spending much of its time browsing for food in its surrounding well-vegetated environment. The Aldabra giant tortoise is known to be found in places that are commonly known as "tortoise turf". Tortoise turf is composed of:[16] (Hnatiuk 1979)[17]
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Bacopa monnieri
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Boerhavia elegans
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Bulbostylis basalis
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Cassia aldabrensis
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Cyperus dubius
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Cyperus ligularis
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Cyperus obtusiflorus
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Dactyloctenium pilosum
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Eragrostis decumbens
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Euphorbia prostrata
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Euphorbia stoddartii
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Evolvulus alsinoides
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Fimbristylis cymosa
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Fimbristylis ferruginea
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Hypoestes aldabrensis
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Lagrezia madagascariensis
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Lepturus repens
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Mollugo spergula
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Panicum aldabrense
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Phyllanthus maderaspatensis
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Pleurostelma cernuum
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Plumbaga aphylla
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Pycreus pumilus
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Ruellia monanthos
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Sclerodactylon macrostachyum
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Sida parvifolia
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Solanum nigrum
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Sporobolus testudinum
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Sporobolus virginicus
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Tephrosia pumila
Behavior :
Aldabra tortoises are found both individually and in herds, which tend to gather mostly on open grasslands. They are most active in the mornings, when they spend time browsing for food. They dig underground burrows or rest in swamps to keep cool during the heat of the day.
While they are characteristically slow and cautious, they are capable of appreciable speed. They are also known to attempt perilous acrobatic feats, rising precariously on their hind legs to reach low branches.[citation needed] They risk death by tipping onto their backs and being unable to right themselves. This unusual behavior led Mexican biologist José Antonio de Alzate y Ramírez to refer to the Aldabra as the "ninjas" of the tortoise world.
Aldabra giant tortoise foot, an efficient digging tool
Life history :
Large tortoises are among the longest-lived animals on the planet. Some individual Aldabra giant tortoises are thought to be over 200 years of age, but this is difficult to verify because they tend to outlive their human observers. Adwaita was reputedly one of four brought by British seamen from the Seychelles Islands as gifts to Robert Clive of the British East India Company in the 18th century, and came to Calcutta Zoo in 1875. At his death in March 2006 at the Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) Zoo in India, Adwaita is reputed to have reached the longest ever measured lifespan of 255 years (birth year 1750).[18] Today, Jonathan, a Seychelles Giant Tortoise (A. g. hololissa), is thought to be the oldest living giant tortoise at the age of 184 years [19] and Esmeralda is second at the age of 170 years, since the death of Harriet at 176, a Galapagos giant tortoise. Esmeralda is an Aldabra giant tortoise.
Breeding :
Between February and May, females lay between 9 and 25 rubbery eggs in a shallow, dry nest. Usually, less than half of the eggs are fertile. Females can produce multiple clutches of eggs in a year. After incubating for about eight months, the tiny, independent young hatch between October and December.[20]
In captivity, oviposition dates vary. Tulsa Zoo[21] maintains a small herd of Aldabra tortoises and they have reproduced several times since 1999. One female typically lays eggs in November and again in January, providing the weather is warm enough to go outside for laying. The zoo also incubates their eggs artificially, keeping two separate incubators at 27°C (81°F) and 30°C (86°F). On average, the eggs kept at the latter temperature hatch in 107 days.[22]
Conservation :
The Aldabra giant tortoise has an unusually long history of organized conservation. Albert Gunther of the British Museum, who later moved to the Natural History Museum of London (enlisting Charles Darwin and other famous scientists to help him) worked with the government ofMauritius to establish a preserve at the end of the 19th century. The related, but distinct, species of giant tortoise from the Seychelles islands (Seychelles giant tortoise A. g. hololissa and Arnold's giant tortoise A. g. arnoldi) are the subject of a captive-breeding and reintroduction program by the Nature Protection Trust of Seychelles.[23][24]
Mating Aldabra giant tortoises
Aldabra Giant Tortoises Mating (Aldabrachelys gigantea)
Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea)
Aldabra Tortoise Care Sheet :
courtesy to : www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Turtles-Tortoises/Aldabra-Tortoise/ BY KEN FOOSE
Aldabra Tortoise (Geochelone gigantea) :
Aldabra tortoises are found on the islands of the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles, and they are one of the largest tortoises in the world (the largest tortoise on record being the Galapagos tortoise – Geochelone nigra). Aldabra tortoises have a varied habitat on their home and introduced islands, ranging from mangrove swamps and coastal dune areas to grasslands and scrub forests.
Aldabra Tortoise Availability:
You can find Aldabra tortoises for sale at select reptile stores, reptile shows and sometimes on the Internet. If you are able to find one, no doubt you will find them very rewarding to keep.
Aldabra Tortoise Size :
The average weight of an adult male Aldabra tortoise is approximately 550 pounds, although there is one at the Fort Worth Zoo that weighs in at nearly 800 pounds.
Aldabra tortoises can weigh more than 500 pounds.
Aldabra Tortoise Life Span :
Aldabra tortoises are long lived, some having reached more than 200 years of age. The oldest known Aldabra in captivity at the time of this writing is 170 years old.
Aldabra Tortoise Diet :
Aldabra tortoises are mostly herbivores. In the wild, they eat grass, leaves, plants, stems and other tasty weeds. They will also feed on insects and dead animals, even their own kind. In captivity they will eat grass, flowers, cactus pads, all sorts of leafy greens and commercial tortoise food. They also like fruit and melons.
Aldabra Tortoise Behavior and Life History :
Aldabra tortoises spend the mornings and early evenings eating, and they spend the hotter parts of the day in the shade or lounging in shallow water holes. They are deceptively quick when they want to be and will actually sprint away if frightened. If they think you have a treat for them they will sprint right to you.
Aldabra Tortoise Housing
Keeping Aldabra tortoises outdoors is usually the best way to house them. Hatchlings up to 2 years old can be housed indoors, but once they get beyond that, they need the great outdoors to roam. For babies up to a year old, tortoise tubs or the equivalent work very well. Use bark or crushed coconut for the bottom of the enclosure. Provide a hotspot of about 90 degrees Fahrenheit at one end of the enclosure with an ambient temperature of about 80 degrees. Mercury vapor lights work well for this, as they provide both UVB and heat all in one fixture.
Aldabra tortoises get large, so as a rule of thumb, the bigger the outdoor enclosure, the better. I house mine in a pen made of ornate cinder blocks. The wall is a bit over two feet tall, and the paddock area is 100 feet by 30 feet. Depending on how many you plan to house, the size of your paddock can vary. Aldabra tortoises do best at temperatures of 80 to 95 degrees. Provide your tortoise house with heat lamps, heat emitters and/or large outdoor-use heat pads (“pig blankets”) to maintain the proper temperature even when the weather outside is cold. The entrance to the house should be large enough for the tortoise to easily enter and exit, and a door is handy to lock the tortoise inside on very cold days or nights. Aldabra tortoises love mudholes, and if you can build one, or a shallow pond for them to soak in, they will be very content. Unlike most tortoises, they are also good swimmers.
Aldabra Tortoise Breeding
Between February and May, females lay anywhere from nine and 25 eggs in a shallow nest. Usually less than half of the eggs are fertile. Females can produce multiple clutches of eggs in a year. After incubating, the tiny tortoises hatch between October and December.
Artificial incubation works best. However, if you incubate the eggs at between 81 to 86 degrees, they will usually hatch in less time, about 90 to 108 days.
Aldabra Tortoise Considerations :
Aldabra tortoises get very large and live a very long time. They need lots of space, special habitat setups and a bit of care. They make very rewarding pets as long as you have the time and space to dedicate to their needs. You'll more than likely have to arrange for their long-term care in advance since they are probably going to outlive you. They are smart, personable and very entertaining. I find that after a long day at work, just sitting outside and watching them eat can calm the nerves of a hectic day.
Other Websites :
- www.pet-tortoise.com/aldabra-tortoise.
- www . allturtles.com/aldabra-tortoise/
- www.theturtlesource.com/i.asp?id=225689767
Videos :
TORTOISES - The giant Aldabra tortoise, the most intellingent tortoise.
aldabra tortoise 5 yrs old
Aldabra Tortoise Training
Fun with Godzilla my Aldabra Pet Tortoise
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