How difficult is it to keep Aldabra Giant Tortoise?

Advanced. This is an advanced-level species. It requires specialized equipment and advanced husbandry skills with precise environmental control.

How large does Aldabra Giant Tortoise get?

Aldabra Giant Tortoise typically reaches Carapace up to 138cm, with males larger than females as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.

What is the typical price for Aldabra Giant Tortoise?

The price of Aldabra Giant Tortoise varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Aldabra Giant Tortoise

Q: What is the lifespan of Aldabra Giant Tortoise?

The average lifespan of Aldabra Giant Tortoise is Commonly reaches 100 years, and captive animals have lived longer. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.

Q: What should I feed Aldabra Giant Tortoise?

Aldabra Giant Tortoise feeds on: Grasses and sedges, young shoots and leaves of shrubs, vegetables and fruit. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.

Advanced

Aldabrachelys gigantea

The second largest living giant tortoise, with a carapace to 138 cm and a uniformly black or blackish brown shell. It is notably social, moves in groups, and is known for good memory and colour recognition.

Difficulty

Advanced

Lifespan

Commonly reaches 100 years, and captive animals have lived longer

Size

Carapace up to 138cm, with males larger than females

Humidity

40〜70%

Diet

Grasses and sedges, young shoots and leaves of shrubs, vegetables and fruit

About

Aldabrachelys gigantea lives on the Aldabra Atoll of Seychelles and is the second largest living giant tortoise, with a carapace to 138 cm. The shell is uniformly black or blackish brown, the head is somewhat flattened, and head, neck, limbs and tail are dark grey. It copes poorly with heat: wild animals bask little, keep to the shade and, while feeding, turn the tail towards the sun so that the shell shades the head. On sunny days in the wet season it becomes crepuscular, resting in shade by day and bathing in water or mud. It is markedly social and gathers in groups to feed and to sleep. Intelligent, with good memory, learning ability and colour recognition, captive animals can be target-trained with food rewards to respond to particular colours. It is mainly herbivorous, eating grasses and the young shoots and leaves of shrubs, but will also take carrion and the dung of its own species.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Lifespan of the Aldabra Giant Tortoise

The Aldabra Giant Tortoise lives Commonly reaches 100 years, and captive animals have lived longer.

Size of the Aldabra Giant Tortoise

The Aldabra Giant Tortoise grows to Carapace up to 138cm, with males larger than females.

Basic Info

Origin

The Aldabra Atoll of Seychelles, in coastal grassland, inland scrub and mangrove wetland

Lifespan

Commonly reaches 100 years, and captive animals have lived longer

Size

Care Specifications

PeacefulGroupBreeding: Hard

Sources: Reptiles Magazine: Aldabra Tortoise Care Sheet / Wikipedia (Japanese): Aldabra giant tortoise / Wikipedia (English): Aldabra giant tortoise / Reptile Database

References & Sources

Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team

The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.

Primary sources

Taxonomy & Authority

Accepted name: Aldabrachelys gigantea (Schweigger, 1812)

Synonyms: Testudo gigantea Schweigger, 1812, Geochelone gigantea (Fitzinger, 1835), Dipsochelys dussumieri (Gray, 1831)

Authority databases: Reptile Database

Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.

Regulations & Conservation Status

CITES Appendix IIIUCN VU · Vulnerable

Listed in CITES Appendix II at the genus level in 1975, and at the family level in 1977 (current listing effective January 2, 2017). As an Appendix II species, registration certificates for international rare wildlife are not required. It does not fall under the designated animals listed in the Animal Protection and Management Act Enforcement Order, nor is it designated as a designated invasive species. Its habitat is legally protected in the Seychelles and is registered as a World Natural Heritage site.

Sources: CITES Appendices / Ministry of the Environment: list of invasive alien species / Order for Enforcement of the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals (designated dangerous animals)

Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.