Galápagos tortoise
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Galápagos tortoise
Galápagos tortoise
The Galápagos tortoise is a giant turtle that can live for over 100 years! They are slow movers and love to munch on grass and leaves in their warm island home.
Habitat: Coastal areas
Appearance
The Galápagos tortoise is massive, with a dark brown to black leathery skin and a high, domed or saddle-backed shell. Its shell shape varies between islands, with saddle-backed tortoises having longer necks to reach higher vegetation. They possess thick, pillar-like legs.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassTestudinesOrderTestudinesFamilyTestudinidaeGenusChelonoidis
Category
ReptilesRarity
Rare
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Some Galápagos tortoises are so big you could sit on their back! Wow!
Their ancient ancestors floated to the islands on ocean currents! Wow!
They can go a whole year without food or water! Wow!
Tortoise shells have growth rings, just like a tree does! Wow!
Special abilities
Ability
Super Storage
Galápagos tortoises can store large amounts of water in their bladder, which helps them survive long dry periods.
Ability
Slow Metabolism
Galápagos tortoises have a very slow metabolism, allowing them to live for over a century and go long without food.
Ability
Armored Fortress
Galápagos tortoises have an incredibly thick, bony shell that helps protect them from most predators.
Ability
Reach for the Sky
Saddle-backed tortoises can extend their long necks very high because of their shell shape, helping them eat tall plants.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 60-150 cm
- Weight
- 90-400 kg
- Lifespan
- 100-170 years
- Top Speed
- 0.3 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 2-16
- Incubation
- 110-250 days
Diet & Feeding
These gentle giants munch on plants, fruits, and cacti to stay healthy and hydrated.
Primary Foods
- Grasses
- Leaves
- Fruits
- Cacti (Opuntia)
- Flowers
- Mosses
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
depends on
Prickly pear cactus
Opuntia echios
Primary food and water source
depends on
Palo Santo tree
Bursera graveolens
Eats fallen leaves and fruits
eaten by
Galápagos hawk
Buteo galapagoensis
Preys on eggs and hatchlings
eaten by
Black rat
Rattus rattus
Invasive species, eats eggs
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Armored
Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Giant
Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch from a distance and never try to touch or feed wild tortoises.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Galápagos tortoise?
60-150 cm
How much does Galápagos tortoise weigh?
90-400 kg
How long does Galápagos tortoise live?
100-170 years
How fast can Galápagos tortoise move?
0.3 km/h
What does Galápagos tortoise eat?
These gentle giants munch on plants, fruits, and cacti to stay healthy and hydrated.
Where is Galápagos tortoise usually found?
Coastal areas
How does Galápagos tortoise hunt?
Foraging
How many eggs does Galápagos tortoise lay?
2-16
Snap Map
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