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The Galapagos tortoise is a highly threatened species, The word "Galapagos" means "saddle" and that
is how the Galapagos tortoise got its name. It refers to the shape of its back.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Geochelone Elephantopus. There are 14 described subspecies of the Galapagos tortoise of which
11 still exist, some with only small populations. There are "dome-shelled" and "saddle-backed" Galapagos
tortoises. Where ground vegetation is the main source of food the animals are dome-shelled. Those that feed on higher growing
cactus have a curved shell front to allow their longer neck to reach the pads. Galapagos tortoises vary in size from 29 inches
(shell length) and 60 pounds to 4 feet and 700 pounds. There is little variation in colour, overall dull-brown being standard.
The male has concave underside, which facilitates mating. It is believed some can live up to 200 years.
HABITAT: Galapagos Islands, living in lush rainforest to drier vegetation (depending on the island). 9,000 TO 10,000 Tortoises
survive on the Galapagos archipelago, 600 miles west of Ecuador. Ancestors of these reptiles may have floated there on clumps
of vegetation disgorged from rivers of the continent. Another species of giant tortoise is found on the Indian Ocean island
of Aldabra off East Africa.
BEHAVIOR: The giant tortoise leads a generally peaceful, lazy life. He wakes up between 7:00 and 8:00 in the morning
and basks in the sun as his bulky body warms. The rest of the day he spends grazing and browsing. The tortoise retires at
4 or 5 in the afternoon, spending the cool night half submerged in mud or water or burrowed into dense brush. This keeps the
tortoise warm and the conserved body heat probably aids digestion. Tortoises have symbiotic relationships with other animals,
such as between the tortoise and the finch. The tortoise will extend its neck to allow the finch to pick off ticks
DIET: The Galapagos tortoise is a generalized herbivore feeding on grasses, vines, cactus fruit, and other vegetation.
It eats the fruit of the manzanello tree and fallen fruits and spiny pads of the prickly pear.
REPRODUCTION and GROWTH: The mating season usually occurs between January and August, when the males stalks about looking
for a female. Courting begins with ramming her with the front of his shell and nipping her exposed legs until she draws them
in, immobilizing herself. Females lay eggs near the coast in a hole that is about 25-35 cm deep. Usually there are up to 20
eggs about the size of a tennis ball. She covers the eggs and leaves. The eggs incubate for about 4-8 months. The young hatch
between December and April and take about a month to dig out of the nest. Predators immediately start to prey on the young
and most don't survive. It has been found that the temperature of the nest determines the sex of the baby. Lower temperatures
On islands where the vegetation is lusher the tortoises are bigger than on islands where it is drier and has less vegetation.
The Galapagos tortoise can store large amounts of water in its body, and can probably live up to a year without food or water.
Their sense of smell is excellent.
ENEMIES: Humans and the animals they have introduced to the islands. Dogs, pigs, and black rats. Goats and donkeys eat
much of the vegetation that the Galapgos tortoise needs. Also hawks who prey on young tortoises.
Research by wishintreeUK. (Katie)
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