Galapagos Tortoise
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts
| Common name | Galapagos tortoise |
| Scientific name | Chelonoidis niger |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Testudines |
| Family | Testudinidae |
| Genus | Chelonoidis |
| Conservation status | Extinct |
| Type | Reptile (giant tortoise) |
| Diet | Cactus, leaves, grasses, vines and fruit |
| Native range | Galapagos Islands, about 1,000 km west of Ecuador |
| Size | Over 1.8 m (5.9 ft) long |
| Weight | Over 400 kg (880 lb) |
| Lifespan | Over 100 years in the wild |
| Special feature | Can go without food or water for up to a year |
The Galápagos tortoise or Galápagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra) is the largest living species of tortoise and the 13th-heaviest living reptile, reaching weights of over 400 kg (880 lb) and lengths of over 1.8 meters (5.9 ft). With a life span in the wild of over 100 years, it is one of the longest-lived vertebrates. A captive individual lived at least 170 years. They are the giant tortoise of the world.
The moderate weights of the females are around 250 pounds (113 Kg.) and that of the males is 500 pounds (227 Kg.) Their legs are stout and strong enough to bear the weight of their body, still most of the time they keep lying down, to preserve their energy. The Galapagos tortoise has two main shell shapes, The smaller ones possess shells which curl out in front just like a saddle and hence called “saddlebacks, while the largest ones sporting large, round shells, they call, “domes.”-
Anatomy
The carapace (shell) of the tortoise is big and bony, colored dull brown. The shell plates merge into the ribs, forming a strong protection and become a part of the skeleton. Lichens live in the shell of these gradual-moving animals. These tortoises have typical scutes (shell segment) design on their shell which they retain throughout their life. The superficial layer fades off with time, and so, even though every year, bands grow on the shell, it is not useful to determine the age of the tortoise. As a protective device, it is possible for the tortoise to pull in its neck, head and forelimbs into the shell. Their legs are short and big, having hard scales and scaly dry skin. It has four claws on the hind legs and five on the forelegs.
When the Galapagos tortoise roams about, there is a possibility for the shell to suffer damage. As a protective device, scales cover their head and legs and their skin. Among the giant tortoises, only the Galapagos tortoise displays varieties of shell forms.
Behavior
Galapagos tortoises live a simple life, basking in sun, grazing on cactus, leaves and grass and having a nap for about 16 hours daily. They are capable to starve for a period of one year on account of the gradual metabolism and large resource of water.
The Galapagos tortoise is a sluggish, passive, silent and harmless animal. They wake at dawn for basking in the sun till then the massive body is warm enough.
Habitat
The Galapagos tortoises originate from the Galapagos Islands, located in a volcanic archipelago nearly 1000 km (620 miles) westward of Ecuador’s Mainland. In the 16th century, the Spanish explorers discovered the islands and gave them the name, “Galapago” which means tortoise in the Spanish.
As a Pet
Breeding
For copulation the males subdue the females by putting their weight on them and arresting their movement. Breeding time is from January to June. They lay 2 – 20 eggs of approximately the size of a tennis ball. Further, the female covers the nest and leaves the eggs for incubation for a period of 4-8 months. The sex of the offspring and temperature is the criteria that dictate the incubation time. Lower temperature seems to account for more males. The hatchlings emerge during the month from November to April.
Housing
The Galapagos tortoise needs ample space for grazing and protection from rain, wind and sun. On account of the limited space and the massive size of the Galapagos tortoise, it is difficult to house this pet indoors.
Food
These herbivorous tortoises feed on fruits, leaves, cactus, vines and grasses. They have earned the name, “eating machines” because of the large quantity of food that they consume. They are capable of starving without food and water for a period of one year since they are capable of storing water and food for a pretty long time. These tortoises create water by splitting their body fat.
Galapagos tortoise FAQs
How big do Galapagos tortoises get?
Galapagos tortoises are the largest tortoises alive. They can be over 1.8 metres (5.9 feet) long and weigh over 400 kilograms (880 pounds).
How long do Galapagos tortoises live?
Wild Galapagos tortoises live more than 100 years, and one in captivity lived at least 170 years. That makes them some of the longest-lived animals with backbones.
What do Galapagos tortoises eat?
They are plant eaters. They eat cactus, leaves, grasses, vines and fruit, and they eat so much that they are called ‘eating machines’.
Where do Galapagos tortoises live?
They live on the Galapagos Islands, a volcanic island group about 1,000 km (620 miles) west of Ecuador. The islands are named after the Spanish word for tortoise.
How much do Galapagos tortoises sleep?
They nap for about 16 hours a day, and spend the rest of the time basking in the sun and grazing.
Randi Jones is the owner and founder of the Nature Gift Store, an online retailer specializing in nature-themed gifts, educational science projects, live animal nature kits and real butterfly artwork. A biology graduate who fell in love with insects, she founded the company in 2001 to make active learning about nature fun, accessible and engaging for children and adults. Her store offers real butterfly frames, home and garden decor and educational live animal kits, including ant farms, worm farms, tadpoles, ladybugs and hermit crabs, and she runs a bug museum in Washington featuring live animals like Eddie the Iguana alongside other reptiles and insects.
