Giant Tortoise in the Defensive position (Highlands, Scalesia Forest, Santa Cruz Island) Video of Giant Tortoises The Galapagos tortoise is the largest living tortoise. It can weigh over 500 pounds and measure 6 feet from head to tail. It is a very
slow-moving animal, moving only 0.16 miles per hour. Only 11 of the14 subspecies of Tortoises remains. Giant Tortoises live from 50 to 200 years. The Galapagos tortoise has a very large shell made of bone. The shell can be domed, saddle-backed or somewhere in between. Domed shells are found on tortoises that live in areas with lush vegetation. Saddle-back shells allow the tortoise to reach vegetation higher off the ground. This shell is more common in areas with less vegetation. The character ET was designed after the Galapagos tortoise.
Update: Lonesome George (the last known individual of the Pinta Island Tortoise)
has mated for the first time in years right after our departure but was unsuccessful.  
   
More Photos from Santa Cruz Island |