Peter

Hi Sam,

Happy New Year.

I am interested in buying an Aldabra hatchling, in your care sheet behavior section it is mentioned Aldabras are social and do best when they have company, I cannot buy two at once, the next one will be in 2022-23, my questions are as follows.

I buy a hatchling now, the next one will be at the end of 2022 by then the one I will have will be bigger in size than the new hatchling, will this cause a problem?

Since their sex can not be determined when they are small if both turn out to be male or female, will this cause a problem?

I currently have two Russian tortoises, will this be a problem, will Aldabra crush them to death?

I live in Los Angeles, CA summer time temperature can be between 95 and 105 with no humidity. Can Aldabra tolerate this kind of weather?

Thank you.

Sam

Here are my answers below:

"I buy a hatchling now, the next one will be at the end of 2022 by then the one I will have will be bigger in size than the new hatchling, will this cause a problem?"

You won't be able to keep them together for probably years.

A 4-inch animal by 2022 will be 12 to 14 inches depending on size and growth rate. 

Typically people buy older animals when they add to the group rather than adding younger smaller animals which would require a different environment.

"Since their sex can not be determined when they are small if both turn out to be male or female, will this cause a problem?"

They are social animals so the sexes don't fight.

There is one potential problem. If you have too many males, they can overbreed the females. Something you may want to consider 8- 10 years from now.

You may need to setup two different pens to separate animals.

Males are more valuable then females as they get older. Many people would sell off one of the males and get two females.

"I currently have two Russian tortoises, will this be a problem, will Aldabra crush them to death?"

If not at first, they will severely impact them in a year or two.

"I live in Los Angeles, CA summer time temperature can be between 95 and 105 with no humidity. Can Aldabra tolerate this kind of weather?"

Many customers raise Aldabras in these conditions. 

It's a matter of setting up the habitat properly.

Built-in shaded areas and misters or sprinklers are typical.