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Aldabra Tortoise Species Profile: Habitat, Diet, Size, and Lifespan

(Aldabrachelys gigantea)

Aldabra giant tortoise standing on dirt path at Bristol Zoo
Aldabra giant tortoise at Bristol Zoo. Photo: Adrian Pingstone (Arpingstone), Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Aldabra Tortoises are the second largest species of tortoise in the world. They truly are an amazing species and if you get the honor to care for one or take one in count yourself lucky. Here is a Aldabra Care Guide I put together to get you started. This species profile will highlight this species and give a little introduction.

If you love turtles and tortoise like the Aldabra, check out all the care list I have put together in honor of turtles and tortoises.

View All Care Guides

Quick Facts

Common Name(s):Aldabra tortoise, Aldabra giant tortoise
Scientific Name:Aldabrachelys gigantea
Family / Taxonomy:Testudinidae
Native Range / Distribution:Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles
Habitat:Coastal dunes, mangroves, scrublands, and open grasslands
Adult Size:350–550 lbs (159–250 kg); shell length up to 4 ft (1.2 m)
Lifespan:80–120+ years
Conservation Status:Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)

Identification

Identification is important and one the first steps when owning a pet tortoise or turtle. This will set you up for how to care for the species you keep. Check out the Species Profile List I put together to help identify your pet.

  • Shell: Massive, high-domed carapace, Color can change with age, Grown rings can be visible as they grow, and male and female shells can differ.
  • Skin: Thick armor like skin, Wrinkled for flexibility especially neck and leg areas, Skin helps retain moisture, Thick scales on legs for protection and skin can be dark grey or charcoal in color.
  • Sexual Dimorphism: Size of a male is usually bigger then a female. Males have longer, thicker tails, Males have a concave plastron vs Flat on females. Males tend to have taller, elongated shells vs a females flatter rounder shell.
  • Unique Feature: Long neck allowing browsing of shrubs and low branches.

Natural Behavior & Habits

Aldabra tortoises are herbivores that graze on grasses, leaves, and vegetation. If you’re caring for a tortoise in captivity, understanding proper feeding is essential—see our guide on Tortoise Feeding List

  • Behavior- Diurnal grazers, spending most of their day feeding on grasses, leaves, and woody plants.
  • Staying Cool- Use shallow waterholes or shaded vegetation for cooling. Dense forest.
  • Social—often congregate in groups, but males can be territorial and competitive during breeding season.
  • Reproduction- Females dig sandy nests and lay 9–25 eggs; incubation 90–120 days.

Care Overview

  • Enclosure: Huge outdoor space—minimum 1,000 sq ft per adult, secure fencing, and shaded shelters, big water dish/ Pond. Proper space, natural grazing area, and shelter is essentials when keeping a big species like this. Learn more about enclosure setups in our Overview outdoor enclosure guide Post.
  • Temperature: Daytime 80–90 °F (27–32 °C); basking up to 100 °F (38 °C); nighttime 70–75 °F (21–24 °C). Outdoors if cool must provide a warm hide or room.
  • Diet: Primarily grasses and leafy greens; occasional veggies or fruits as treats. Mazuri Tortoise diet is great for supplemental food.
  • Water & Humidity: Provide shallow pools and maintain 55–70 % humidity. Sprinkler system helps during warm hot summer days. While giant tortoises often obtain moisture from their food, hydration is still important for overall health. Learn more about hydration in our post on Do Tortoise Drink Water?
  • UVB/Sunlight: Direct sunlight preferred; strong UVB lighting required indoors. Don’t forget a basking bulb as well indoors.

Full Care Guide: Aldabra Tortoise Care Guide

Aldabra giant tortoise close-up head shot with grass in mouth
Aldabra giant tortoise, head close-up. Photo: Drtrotsky, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Interesting Facts

  • Fact: Aldabra tortoises are among the largest tortoises on Earth, second only to Galápagos tortoises.
  • Fact: Some individuals have documented lifespans over 150 years.
  • FAQ: Do Aldabras hibernate? → No, they do not brumate; they remain active year-round in warm climates.
  • FAQ: Are they social? → Yes, they often graze and rest in groups.

Resources & Next Steps

If you’re new to tortoise keeping, start with our Beginner’s Guide to Tortoise Care before choosing your species.