# Galápagos Giant Tortoise (*Chelonoidis niger*) The Galápagos Giant Tortoise is one of the largest tortoises in the world! They can live for over 100 years and are very gentle creatures that love to munch on grass and leaves. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Coastal areas - **Also known as:** Giant Tortoise ![Galápagos Giant Tortoise](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/African_spurred_tortoise%252C_Honolulu_Zoo_%2810754464723%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:African_spurred_tortoise%252C_Honolulu_Zoo_%2810754464723%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Galápagos Giant Tortoise has an enormous, robust shell that can be dome-shaped or saddle-backed, depending on the subspecies. Their thick skin is typically dull brown or grey, covering strong, elephantine legs and a long, wrinkled neck, distinguishing them by their sheer size and varied shell forms. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Testudinidae - **Genus:** Chelonoidis ## Interesting facts - Baby tortoises are no bigger than a human's palm when they hatch! - Some tortoises can go an entire year without food or water! - Their shells can be dome-shaped or saddle-backed, depending on their island's plants! - Wallowing in muddy pools helps them cool down and remove pesky parasites! ## Special abilities - **Survival Shell:** Galápagos Giant Tortoise has a sturdy, bony shell that helps them retreat completely inside for protection from predators. - **Desert Drinker:** Galápagos Giant Tortoise can store water in a large bladder, allowing them to survive long periods without drinking. - **High Reach Feeder:** Galápagos Giant Tortoise can extend its long neck to reach high leaves, especially on islands with tall cacti. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 90-150 cm - **Weight:** 150-400 kg - **Lifespan:** 100-180 years - **Speed:** 0.3 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-16 - **Incubation:** 110-175 days ## Diet & Feeding These gentle giants mainly eat plants, munching on leaves, grasses, and even tough cacti! - **Primary Foods:** Grasses, Leaves, Fruits, Cacti pads, Flowers - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Galapagos prickly pear cactus (*Opuntia echios*) — A primary food source, especially for saddle-backed tortoises. - **Eaten by:** Galapagos Hawk (*Buteo galapagoensis*) — Hatchlings are vulnerable to predation by these native birds. - **Eaten by:** [Black Rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-rat) (*Rattus rattus*) — Introduced rats often prey on tortoise eggs and hatchlings. - **Eats:** Tomato plant (*Solanum lycopersicum*) — Can consume wild tomatoes found in their habitat. ## Traits - [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. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch from a distance and never touch wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Galápagos 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 Galápagos Giant Tortoise? 90-150 cm ### How much does Galápagos Giant Tortoise weigh? 150-400 kg ### How long does Galápagos Giant Tortoise live? 100-180 years ### How fast can Galápagos Giant Tortoise move? 0.3 km/h ### What does Galápagos Giant Tortoise eat? These gentle giants mainly eat plants, munching on leaves, grasses, and even tough cacti! ### Where is Galápagos Giant Tortoise usually found? Coastal areas ### How does Galápagos Giant Tortoise hunt? Grazing ## Where to spot - [Jungle Island](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jungle-island) — Florida, US · Zoo ## 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: [Galápagos Giant Tortoise: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gal%C3%A1pagos-giant-tortoise)