Animals On Earth: India, Asia, China, Hawaii, And Madagascar

Galapagos Giant Tortoise

The Galápagos tortoise (Chelonoidis niger) is the largest living species of . With lifespans in the wild of over 100 years, it is also one of the longest-lived vertebrates. In captivity, these adorable giants can live up to 177 years.

The Galápagos tortoise has a very high brown and light green shell. It blends in very well with its surroundings. It can quickly withdraw its head, legs, and tail into its shell when it is too hot or feels that it is in danger. Its shell is very big and very bony. Galápagos tortoises come in two types: the largest, called 'domes', have big, round shells, and live on the larger, wetter islands, and the smaller 'saddlebacks', which have a shell that curls up in front the way a saddle does, live on smaller islands that have dry vegetation. The distinctive saddleback shell may enable this tortoise to reach higher vegetation, and this tortoise also has a longer neck and limbs.

The Galápagos giant tortoise inhabits just six Galápagos Islands, of an island chain 1,000 km from the Ecuadorian coast, namely, Isabela, Pinzon, Espanola, San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, and Santiago. The tortoises live in muddy puddles and wallow, preferably in sunny areas. Some may be found at rest under large overhanging rocks. When it is the hot and dry season, these animals tend to go to the cooler highlands, and in the rainy season, they return to the lowlands.

These reptiles are among the longest-lived of all land vertebrates, averaging more than a hundred years. The oldest on record lived to be 175. They are also the world's largest tortoises, with some specimens exceeding five feet in length and reaching more than 500 pounds.

A range of vegetation including grasses, cactus and leaves. They have been known to eat unusual foods that are dangerous to humans such as fruits from the manzanillo tree.

The only native natural predator of the Galápagos tortoise is the Galápagos hawk. The hawk preys on eggs and newly hatched tortoises. The main threats to adult tortoises are habitat destruction and illegal hunting.

The Galapagos giant tortoise spends an average of 16 hours per day resting. The rest of their time is spent eating grasses, fruits and cactus pads. They enjoy bathing in water, but can survive for up to a year without water or food.

Galápagos tortoises lead an uncomplicated life, grazing on grass, leaves, and cactus, basking in the sun, and resting for nearly 16 hours per day. A slow metabolism and an ability to store large amounts of water mean they can survive up to a year without eating or drinking.