Aldabra tortoises

Alex · 04-10-2006, 03:41 AM

Hi there, I've been to a few zoos and seen aldabra tortoises which all looked amazing but about a month ago I was at paignton zoo and they had 5 or 6 which were a browny/ orangey colour and looked particularly magnificent. Are there sub species of these tortoises? And whilst on this subject has anyone heard anything about this 'aldabra tortoise' at bristol zoo which is thought maybe a previously thought to be extinct species?

**egyptiandan64** · 04-10-2006, 01:40 PM

Hi Alex,
There aren't any subspecies of Aldabra tortoises, but they have rediscovered 1 Seychelles species and named a new one.
They put everybody in a new genus, Dipsochelys. They did a lot of detective work with specimens of Aldabra tortoises in museums and I believe they got the species name correct now, dussumieri. So right now the 3 are
Dipsochelys dussumieri, The Aldabra tortoise
Dipsochelys arnoldi, Seychelles tortoise from Silhoutte island--- this is the newly described one
Dipsochelys hololissa, Seychelles tortoise from Cerf islands---this is the rediscovered one
I'm not sure about the one at the Bristol zoo

Dan

Fallen Angel · 04-10-2006, 02:54 PM

Does anyone have any photos of this species as i am very nosey lol and cant resist asking Nicky

piglet · 04-10-2006, 03:08 PM

Bristol zoo's Aldabras

This is a model of the extinct Rodrigues giant tortoise that was part of the aldabra group.

An excellent book on the history of the giant tortoise is available called A SHELTERED LIFE (the unexpected history of the giant tortoise)

By Paul Chambers

Henry-flash · 04-10-2006, 03:46 PM

I would agree with Darren A Sheltered Life is a great book well worth reading.

Becks · 04-10-2006, 03:54 PM

must get that book for all others interested heres the link good price also
http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/5...e/Product.html
luv becks xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Alex · 04-10-2006, 05:35 PM

Thank you every1

Fallen Angel · 04-10-2006, 05:53 PM

Wow thanks for the photos Darren and the info on the book x Nicky

nina · 04-10-2006, 09:45 PM

Just remember that big tortoises give big gifts. Here's a picture of an aldabran poo from the Cotswold Wildlife Park

and here's the tort wot done it <g>

Fallen Angel · 04-10-2006, 09:58 PM

Nina what can i say other than........................NICE!

04-10-2006, 03:41 AM	#1
Alex Member Juvenile Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 915	Aldabra tortoises Hi there, I've been to a few zoos and seen aldabra tortoises which all looked amazing but about a month ago I was at paignton zoo and they had 5 or 6 which were a browny/ orangey colour and looked particularly magnificent. Are there sub species of these tortoises? And whilst on this subject has anyone heard anything about this 'aldabra tortoise' at bristol zoo which is thought maybe a previously thought to be extinct species?

04-10-2006, 01:40 PM	#2
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	Hi Alex, There aren't any subspecies of Aldabra tortoises, but they have rediscovered 1 Seychelles species and named a new one. They put everybody in a new genus, Dipsochelys. They did a lot of detective work with specimens of Aldabra tortoises in museums and I believe they got the species name correct now, dussumieri. So right now the 3 are Dipsochelys dussumieri, The Aldabra tortoise Dipsochelys arnoldi, Seychelles tortoise from Silhoutte island--- this is the newly described one Dipsochelys hololissa, Seychelles tortoise from Cerf islands---this is the rediscovered one I'm not sure about the one at the Bristol zoo Dan __________________

04-10-2006, 03:08 PM	#4
piglet Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,976	Bristol zoo's Aldabras This is a model of the extinct Rodrigues giant tortoise that was part of the aldabra group. An excellent book on the history of the giant tortoise is available called A SHELTERED LIFE (the unexpected history of the giant tortoise) By Paul Chambers __________________ 17 years old 25 years ago

04-10-2006, 03:46 PM	#5
Henry-flash Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cheshire Posts: 9,304	I would agree with Darren A Sheltered Life is a great book well worth reading. __________________ Peter Keeping: Testudo hermanni, Testudo graeca (graeca & ibera ), Testudo horsfieldi, Astrochelys radiata, Malacochersus tornieri and Kinixys belliana. The North West Tortoise Group

04-10-2006, 03:54 PM	#6
Becks Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Somerset UK Posts: 4,035	must get that book for all others interested heres the link good price also http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/5...e/Product.html luv becks xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx __________________ horsfields ,redfoots ,southern and northan morrocans, map turtle . http://www.redfoottortoiseplace.piczo.com

04-10-2006, 02:54 PM	#3
Fallen Angel Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: East Sussex Posts: 1,645	Does anyone have any photos of this species as i am very nosey lol and cant resist asking Nicky

04-10-2006, 05:35 PM	#7
Alex Member Juvenile Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 915	Thank you every1

04-10-2006, 05:53 PM	#8
Fallen Angel Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: East Sussex Posts: 1,645	Wow thanks for the photos Darren and the info on the book x Nicky

04-10-2006, 09:45 PM	#9
nina Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oxford Posts: 2,337	Just remember that big tortoises give big gifts. Here's a picture of an aldabran poo from the Cotswold Wildlife Park and here's the tort wot done it <g> __________________ http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk l

04-10-2006, 09:58 PM	#10
Fallen Angel Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: East Sussex Posts: 1,645	Nina what can i say other than........................NICE!

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