Description
Galapagos tortoises are giants. Their shells can grow over a metre long and they can weigh up to 180 kg, supported by large, powerful legs strong enough to climb over sizeable rocks. There are 14 distinct subspecies across the Galapagos archipelago, and shell shape varies noticeably between them, some are domed, some flatter, and some have a raised arch above the neck. That raised "saddleback" shape is thought to help those tortoises stretch up to feed on the lower branches of trees and shrubs. Their shells are a dark greyish-brown.
Habitat
Galapagos tortoises live only on the Galapagos Islands, around 900 km west of Ecuador off the coast of South America. Each island has its own subspecies though some have already been lost, due to historical hunting and the impact of introduced animals such as goats that destroy native vegetation. These volcanic islands are sparsely vegetated, and the tortoises spend much of their time resting in mud wallows and waterholes, which keeps them cool and helps support their great weight. In the hot, dry season they migrate to the moist, cooler highlands, returning to the lowlands when the rains arrive.
Diet
Galapagos tortoises will eat almost any green vegetation they can find. Most of their diet is fibrous plant matter, grasses, tree bark and cacti. At the Park, ours enjoy carrots, bamboo stalks, hibiscus leaves and flowers, lucerne hay and other high-fibre favourites.
Reproduction
Breeding usually takes place between January and June. Females lay between 2 and 20 eggs, each almost the size of a tennis ball, then cover the nest and leave the eggs to incubate for 4 to 8 months. Nest temperature determines both how long incubation takes and the sex of the hatchlings, cooler nests tend to produce more males. The young tortoises usually hatch between November and April.
