The Galapagos tortoise is the world’s largest tortoise and can reach lengths up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) and weigh in at an astonishing 250 kilograms (550 pounds). Males can weigh more than 500 pounds (227 kilograms), and females average about 250 pounds (113 kilograms). This special tortoise will continue to grow for 30 to 40 years. The Galápagos tortoise has a very high brown and light green shell. Saddlebacked: mostly found in the drier lands of the islands and seems to be the more aggressive in behaviour.
Tortoises, like their aquatic cousins, the Turtles, have a hard shell which protects their body. Could you imagine how good our basketball team would be if we continued to grow in height until we were 40 years old? The Galapagos Tortoise comes in 3 main shapes: Saddlebacked Tortoise. ‘Galapagos’ comes from the Spanish ‘galapago’, which means ‘tortoise’. Distinguishing characteristics include a large bony shell of a dull brown or gray color that can hold its head, neck, and fore limbs when drawn back for protection. The Galápagos tortoise complex or Galápagos giant tortoise complex (Chelonoidis nigra and related species) are the largest living species of tortoise.Modern Galápagos tortoises can weigh up to 417 kg (919 lb). The Galápagos tortoise or Galápagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra) is the largest living species of tortoise; this one is from the Island of Santa Cruz. During dominance contests, it will stretch out its neck and front legs to give it extra height. There are two types of Galápagos tortoises. European voyages [ edit ] European discovery of the Galápagos Islands occurred when Spaniard Fray Tomás de Berlanga , the fourth Bishop of Panama , sailed to Peru to settle a dispute between Francisco Pizarro and his lieutenants.
Tortoises are found worldwide with the most famous tortoise of all, the Giant Tortoise Lonesome George who lives on the Galapagos Islands near Ecuador. In his last years, he was known as the rarest creature in the world. The Galápagos tortoise, also known as the Galápagos giant tortoise is the 13th heaviest reptile alive today and the largest existing of the species. They have thick, sturdy legs to hold up all that weight, but they still spend a lot of time lying down to conserve energy. Sixteenth-century Spanish explorers named the Galápagos Islands after their population of tortoises (the old Spanish word "galápago" means "tortoise"), and today it is estimated that 20,000-25,000 wild tortoises inhabit the islands. George serves as an important symbol for conservation efforts in the Galápagos Islands and throughout the world. Giant tortoises once thrived on most continents but are now confined to two habitats, on the Galápagos Islands and the Aldabra Atoll. Saddlebacked Tortoises have raised, saddle – like shells and long limbs and neck. Lonesome George (Spanish: El Solitario Jorge; c. 1910 – June 24, 2012) was a male Pinta Island tortoise (Chelonoidis abingdonii) and the last known individual of the species. It blends in very well with its surroundings. Adapting and surviving: Galápagos tortoises are the giants of the tortoise world. The Galapagos Giant Tortoise is the largest living species of tortoise and inhabits only two remote archipelagos.
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