Galapagos Tortoises

Our Galapagos Tortoises

Galapagos Tortoises are the world’s largest species of tortoises. Our two Galapagos Tortoises here at Scovill Zoo came from Hawaii. They were not born at Scovill Zoo. The male Galapagos Tortoise is Sam and he is in his 40’s, which is like a teenager in human years since tortoises’ typically live to be 100 years to 200 years old. The female Galapagos Tortoise is named Ella and she is in her 40’s as well, which is like a teenager in human years.

Galapagos Tortoise Size

Galapagos Tortoises on average grow to be 400 to 500 pounds. The Galapagos Tortoise can grow to be 4 feet long, this makes them the largest tortoises in the world. Galapagos Tortoises usually keep growing until they are 50 years old. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Goliath in 2002 that weighed in at 919 pounds, was 4 ft 5 in long, 3 ft 4 in wide, and 2 ft 3 in high became the largest Galapagos Tortoise ever recorded.

Galapagos Tortoise Life Span

In general, Galapagos Tortoises are the longest living of all vertebrates (animals with backbones).Tortoises have been on Earth a very long time, dating back at least 200 million years, which means they shared the planet with dinosaurs. Their life spans from 100 to even 200 years old. The giant Galapagos tortoises, which can live up to 200 years old, were among the species that helped Charles Darwin formulate his theory of evolution in the 19th century. 4 years ago a tortoise that was brought over by Charles Darwin himself died at the Australia Zoo (The Crocodile Hunter’s Zoo.) The lifespan of a Galapagos tortoise in the wild is a little over 100 years and tortoises living in captive have a lifespan of at least 170 years.

Galapagos Tortoise Housing

Galapagos tortoises that live in drier areas have saddle-shaped shell, which allows stretching of the necks to grab vegetation that grows above the ground such as vines, leaves and fruit. Galapagos tortoises that live in colder climates have dome-shaped shell which prevents stretching of the necks. They feed by grazing the grass.Unlike any other animal, Galapagos tortoise can survive up to one year without food and water.

Galapagos Tortoise Food

Galapagos tortoises lead an uncomplicated life, grazing on grass, leaves, and cactus, basking in the sun, and napping nearly 16 hours per day. A slow metabolism and large internal stores of water mean they can survive up to a year without eating or drinking. Galapagos Tortoises live on land and not on water. They drink plenty of water.

References

National Geographic

National Geographic for Kids

www.philadelphiazoo.org

www.lifescience.com

Written by Mrs. Prasun's Kindergarten Class