Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ive read that the Saddleback Galapago's Torts make better captives than the Aldabras in that they adapt to captivity better, they are supposed to be less skittish...Is this True EJ or anyone who has experience w/ both species of Island giants? Thanks

First, I don't think you are ever going to get your hands on a Saddle Back Galap. There's pretty much one or 2 forms available and if you follow Dr. Prittchards taxonomy, those are pretty much all 'mutts'.

Galaps are more personable out of the egg but they are different tortoises.

Aldabs are usually more active. Captive raised Aldabs can be conditioned to be as personable as a Galap. They seem to be born with a kind of flighty defense mechanism and they need to develop 'trust'.

Aldabs are much easier to come by considering they are only app II by virtue of being a Tortoise.

If I had a choice between the Aldab and the Galap and they were both as easy to obtain, I'd go with the Galap (but I wouldn't give up on the Aldab.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

I agree with EJ. Although I have never had an aldabra, Lots of my friends have them and comparing their experiences with mine having Galapagos, I would say that Galaps are like golden retrievers who want to lay at your foot all day getting scratched and aldabras are more like a jack russell terrier always wanting to know whats going on somewhere else. Young Galaps can be flighty untill they reach a cetain size, then they become a typical island animal that has lost all fear due to not having any natural enemies. Most people who are trying sell aldabras {except EJ, obviously) will try and tell you aldabras are as naturaly personable as Galaps.
Aldabras are much more available and you don't need permits for them. There are usualy 2 or 3 ads selling them on kingsnake at any one time where as Galaps come up available maybe 2 or 3 times a year. Galaps are also much more expensive.

I Might be aquiring a 4 year old Galap from Europe and needed your Valuable input !!! Again thanks a Bunch M.A.

If you pull that off please let me know how you did it.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

I think it would be less paper work to get Bin laden's address then get a Galap from europe, but like EJ said, if you know something we don't--please share. Good luck!