Aldabra tortoise

Dipsochelys dussumieri

Zoo Atlanta houses four Aldabra tortoises. Three of the Zoo’s Aldabras have lived on grounds since 1967!

Range and habitat

Aldabra tortoises are native only to Aldabra Atoll, a series of coral islands off the eastern coast of Africa; introduced populations exist on other islands in the Seychelles.

Physical characteristics

• Aldabras are the world’s second largest tortoise species. (Charles Darwin’s famous Galapagos species is the largest.)

• These giants can weigh up to 600 pounds, but the average is about 300 pounds for males, 200 pounds for females.

• Males have thicker, longer tails than do females. Male carapaces are noticeably broader and flatter than females’. Both sexes exhibit clawed feet and spurred tails.

Diet

Aldabra tortoises are primarily herbivorous, feeding on grasses, plants and leaves. Zoo diet includes hay, romaine lettuce, collard greens, vegetables, fruit and commercially-prepared tortoise food.

Behavior and Reproduction

• Aldabra tortoises are the largest animals in their natural environment. By manipulating their habitat through grazing, they play a role in the ecosystem by clearing paths for smaller animals.

• Aldabras are not as slow and ungainly as they appear. They can move surprisingly quickly (especially when motivated by food) and are agile enough to stand on their hind legs to browse branches.

• Wild Aldabras typically reproduce from February to May. Females lay an average of four to 15 eggs. The number of eggs a female deposits is often relative to the number of other tortoises living nearby (the greater the number of other tortoises, the fewer the eggs). Young Aldabras are miniscule versions of their parents, weighing less than 3 ounces at birth.

Lifespan

Aldabras are known to live over 100 years; there are undocumented reports of animals living as much as a century longer. None of Zoo Atlanta’s Aldabras are believed to be older than 55; guests will hopefully be amazed by these “middle-aged” giants for many years to come!

Status in the wild