Galápagos Tortoise
Chelonoidis niger
Quick answer
The Galápagos tortoise is the largest living tortoise and one of the longest-lived land animals, found only on the Galápagos Islands. Large males can weigh more than 250 kg (550 lb), and individuals routinely live over 100 years. These slow-moving herbivores were central to Charles Darwin's thinking on evolution and are now a conservation icon.
Galápagos Tortoise facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Chelonoidis niger |
|---|---|
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Habitat | Volcanic islands, grasslands, and scrub |
| Lifespan | Over 100 years |
| Weight | Up to 250 kg (550 lb) or more |
| Size | Shell up to 1.2 m (4 ft) long |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Testudines |
| Family | Testudinidae |
| Genus | Chelonoidis |
Where it lives
Found only on the Galápagos Islands, a volcanic archipelago off the coast of Ecuador.
Behavior and longevity
Galápagos tortoises live life slowly, spending much of the day basking, grazing, and resting, and they can survive long periods without food or water by storing both in their bodies. They are among the longest-lived vertebrates, with many individuals passing 100 years and some reaching well beyond that. Their unhurried pace and large size give them few natural enemies as adults.
Diet and feeding
These tortoises are herbivores that eat grasses, leaves, cactus pads, and fruit. They can go for long stretches between meals and obtain much of their water from dew and plant moisture, an adaptation to the islands' dry seasons. Different islands favor different feeding styles, reflected in the shape of each population's shell.
Habitat and range
The Galápagos tortoise lives only on the Galápagos Islands, a volcanic archipelago off the coast of Ecuador. Populations are spread across several islands, ranging from lush highland meadows to arid lowland scrub. Saddle-backed shells evolved on drier islands to let tortoises stretch upward for taller vegetation, while domed shells are typical of wetter highlands.
Conservation
Hunting by sailors and introduced animals such as goats, rats, and pigs devastated tortoise numbers after European arrival, and several populations were lost. Today the species is listed as Vulnerable, and intensive conservation, including captive breeding and the removal of invasive species, has helped some populations recover. The Galápagos tortoise remains a global symbol of island conservation.
Frequently asked questions about the Galápagos Tortoise
How long do Galápagos tortoises live?
Galápagos tortoises are among the longest-lived land animals, regularly surviving more than 100 years. Some well-documented individuals have lived past 150 years in captivity.
How big do Galápagos tortoises get?
They are the largest living tortoises. Big males can weigh more than 250 kg (550 lb) and have shells up to about 1.2 m (4 ft) long.
What do Galápagos tortoises eat?
They are herbivores that eat grasses, leaves, cactus pads, and fruit. They can store food and water in their bodies, letting them go long periods without eating or drinking.
Where do Galápagos tortoises live?
They live only on the Galápagos Islands, a volcanic archipelago off the coast of Ecuador. Different islands are home to populations with distinctively shaped shells.
Why are Galápagos tortoises famous?
Their variation across islands helped inspire Charles Darwin's ideas about evolution. They are also celebrated for their enormous size and exceptional lifespans, making them a conservation icon.
Are Galápagos tortoises endangered?
They are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN after centuries of hunting and damage from introduced animals. Captive breeding and invasive-species removal have helped several populations recover.
