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type Status Habitat

REPTILE

ENDANGERED

SOUTH AMERICA



Giant tortoises are found only on the Galapagos Islands and prefer to live in dry lowlands. They are found on the islands of Pinzon

Galápagos tortoises also eat flowers, leaves, and grasses.


























Island style

Each of the 13 larger islands in the Galápagos Islands has a different subspecies of the giant tortoise, uniquely suited for survival on that particular island's habitat. For example, saddleback shells allow the tortoise to reach food found higher off the ground, like leaves on tall bushes. On desert islands, the tortoises are smaller and are able to survive on less food.

Big, not bulky

Although Galápagos tortoises are huge animals that weigh several hundred pounds, their shells are not solid. Instead, they are made up of honeycomb structures that hold small air chambers. This makes the shell lighter and easier for the tortoise to carry.

FEATURES


SAVE IT FOR LATER

  • A Galápagos tortoise can go without eating or drinking for up to a year because it can store food and water in its body.

    • LONG LIVE THE TORTOISE!

  • Galápagos tortoises can live a long time. Some of those at the San Diego Zoo are more than 100 years old!