# Galápagos Tortoise (*Chelonoidis niger*)

> The Galápagos tortoise (Chelonoidis niger) is the world's largest living tortoise, found only on the volcanic Galápagos Islands off Ecuador. Adults can weigh up to 250 kg (550 lb) and carry a shell up to 1.2 m (4 ft) long. These slow, plant-eating giants are famously long-lived, often surviving well over 100 years, and are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

- **Category:** Reptile
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Vulnerable
- **Range:** Found only on the Galápagos Islands, a volcanic archipelago off the coast of Ecuador.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/galapagos-tortoise/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Reptilia
- **Order:** Testudines
- **Family:** Testudinidae
- **Genus:** Chelonoidis

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| 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) |

## Size and shell shape

Galápagos tortoises are the largest tortoises alive, with big adults reaching 250 kg (550 lb) or more and a shell measuring up to 1.2 m (4 ft) long. Their shell shape varies between islands and falls into two broad types. Tortoises from lush, moist highlands tend to have domed shells, while those from dry, low islands have a raised, saddle-shaped shell that lets them stretch their neck high to reach cactus pads and shrubs.

## Diet and grazing

These tortoises are strict herbivores that browse on grasses, leaves, cactus pads, fruit, and flowers. They can go for long periods without eating or drinking, storing water in their bladder and body tissues to survive dry spells. When rain does fall, a tortoise will drink deeply and wallow in muddy pools. Their slow metabolism means a large meal can sustain them for weeks.

## A remarkably long life

The Galápagos tortoise is one of the longest-lived vertebrates on Earth, commonly passing 100 years and sometimes reaching around 130. Their unhurried pace of life matches their lifespan: they move at barely 0.3 km/h, spend hours basking to warm their bodies, and rest for much of the day. This slow, low-energy existence is part of why they survive so long in a harsh island environment.

## Reproduction and nesting

Breeding peaks in the warm, wet season, when males compete by stretching their necks upward, and the taller tortoise usually wins. Females travel to dry, sandy coastal zones to dig nests with their hind legs and lay clutches of hard-shelled eggs. The temperature of the nest determines the sex of the hatchlings, with warmer nests producing more females. Young tortoises take many years to reach maturity and grow slowly throughout their long lives.

## History and human impact

When sailors and whalers reached the islands, they took huge numbers of tortoises for food, since the animals could survive for months aboard ship without water. Introduced goats, pigs, rats, and donkeys then destroyed habitat and ate eggs and young. Several island populations were wiped out, and the death of Lonesome George in 2012 marked the end of the Pinta Island lineage.

## Conservation status

The Galápagos tortoise is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with different island populations facing different levels of risk. Captive breeding and head-starting programmes, run at centres such as the Charles Darwin Research Station, have returned thousands of young tortoises to the wild. Removing invasive animals from key islands has also allowed some populations to begin recovering.

## Frequently asked questions

### How long do Galápagos tortoises live?

Galápagos tortoises are among the longest-lived animals on the planet, routinely surviving over 100 years and sometimes reaching around 130. Their slow metabolism and unhurried lifestyle contribute to this exceptional longevity.

### How big do Galápagos tortoises get?

They are the largest living tortoises, with big individuals weighing up to 250 kg (550 lb) or more. Their domed or saddle-shaped shell can measure up to 1.2 m (4 ft) in length.

### What do Galápagos tortoises eat?

They are herbivores that feed on grasses, leaves, cactus pads, fruit, and flowers. They can store water and go long periods without food or drink, which helps them endure the islands' dry seasons.

### Where do Galápagos tortoises live?

They are found only on the Galápagos Islands, a volcanic archipelago off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. Different islands host distinct populations adapted to either lush highlands or dry lowlands.

### Why are Galápagos tortoises endangered?

Centuries of hunting by sailors, along with habitat damage and predation by introduced goats, pigs, and rats, drove their numbers down sharply. They are now listed as Vulnerable, though conservation and captive breeding are helping some populations recover.

### How fast can a Galápagos tortoise move?

They are extremely slow, moving at roughly 0.3 km/h. This leisurely pace suits their low-energy lifestyle, in which they spend much of the day basking, grazing, and resting.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Chelonoidis niger.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Chelonoidis%20niger&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Chelonoidis niger. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Chelonoidis_niger/)
- [Wikipedia — Galápagos Tortoise.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floreana_giant_tortoise)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/galapagos-tortoise/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.