# Aldabra Giant Tortoise (*Aldabrachelys gigantea*) The Aldabra Giant Tortoise is one of the largest tortoises in the world! They have a huge shell and are very gentle creatures that love to eat plants. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Islands and coastal areas - **Also known as:** Aldabra Tortoise ![Aldabra Giant Tortoise](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425873/objects/5634.jpg) ## Appearance The Aldabra Giant Tortoise has a large, domed, dark grey or brown shell and thick, elephantine legs. Its comparatively small head and wrinkled neck make it look ancient, standing out from smaller land tortoises. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Testudinidae - **Genus:** Aldabrachelys ## Interesting facts - Some individual tortoises have been known to outlive several human generations! - The Aldabra Atoll, their home, is a protected UNESCO World Heritage site! - These gentle giants sometimes stand on rocks to reach higher, tastier leaves! - They are one of the largest land tortoises in the entire world! ## Special abilities - **Enduring Life Force:** Aldabra Giant Tortoises can live for over 150 years, giving them an incredibly long lifespan to thrive. - **Mobile Fortress:** Aldabra Giant Tortoises have a strong, heavy shell that provides excellent protection from predators on their island home. - **Habitat Architect:** Aldabra Giant Tortoises can effectively graze tough vegetation, which helps shape the landscape and spread seeds. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 90-150 cm - **Weight:** 100-250 kg - **Lifespan:** 100-180 years - **Speed:** 0.3 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-14 - **Incubation:** 90-120 days ## Diet & Feeding These gentle giants munch on grasses, leaves, and fruits, sometimes even carrion, found on their island. - **Primary Foods:** Grasses, Leaves, Woody plants, Fruits, Carrion, Algae - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Symbiotic with:** Saltbush (*Pemphis acidula*) — Tortoises help disperse its seeds after eating the fruits. - **Eats:** [Bermuda Grass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bermuda-grass) (*Cynodon dactylon*) — This common grass is a primary food source for adults. - **Eaten by:** Feral Cat (*Felis catus*) — Feral cats sometimes prey on tortoise eggs and hatchlings. - **Depends on:** Ironwood (*Sideroxylon grandiflorum*) — Provides essential shade for tortoises during hot periods. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Armored](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/armored): Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Aldabra Giant Tortoise? Compare shell shape, shell markings, head stripes and the shape of the feet. Wear, age and algae can hide shell patterns. Turtle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Aldabra Giant Tortoise? 90-150 cm ### How much does Aldabra Giant Tortoise weigh? 100-250 kg ### How long does Aldabra Giant Tortoise live? 100-180 years ### How fast can Aldabra Giant Tortoise move? 0.3 km/h ### What does Aldabra Giant Tortoise eat? These gentle giants munch on grasses, leaves, and fruits, sometimes even carrion, found on their island. ### Where is Aldabra Giant Tortoise usually found? Islands and coastal areas ### How does Aldabra Giant Tortoise hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Abilene Zoological Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/abilene-zoological-gardens) — Texas, US · Zoo - [Alexandria Zoological Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alexandria-zoological-park) — Louisiana, US · Zoo - [Colchester Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/colchester-zoo) — England, GB · Zoo - [Henry Vilas Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/henry-vilas-zoo) — Wisconsin, US · Zoo - [Lupa Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lupa-zoo) — Massachusetts, US · Zoo - [National Zoological Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/national-zoological-park) — District of Columbia, US · Zoo [View all places to see Aldabra Giant Tortoise](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/aldabra-giant-tortoise) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Aldabra Giant Tortoise: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/aldabra-giant-tortoise)