Open links in new tab
  1. DomainEukaryota
    KingdomAnimalia

    Galápagos tortoise - Wikipedia

    • The Galápagos tortoise or Galápagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis niger) is a very large species of tortoise in the genus Chelonoidis (which also contains three smaller species from mainland South America). The species comprises 15 subspecies (13 extant and 2 extinct). It is the largest living species of tortoise, and can weigh up to 417 kg (919 lb). They are al… See more

    Taxonomy

    The Galápagos Islands were discovered in 1535, but first appeared on the maps, of Gerardus Mercator and Abraham Ortelius, around 1570. The islands were named "Insulae de los Galopegos" (Islands of the Tortoises) i… See more

    Description

    The tortoises have a large bony shell of a dull brown or grey color. The plates of the shell are fused with the ribs in a rigid protective structure that is integral to the skeleton. Lichens can grow on the shells of these slow … See more

    Behavior

    The tortoises are ectothermic (cold-blooded), so they bask for 1–2 hours after dawn to absorb the sun's heat through their dark shells before actively foraging for 8–9 hours a day. They travel mostly in the early morning or … See more

    Evolutionary history

    All subspecies of Galápagos tortoises evolved from common ancestors that arrived from mainland South America by overwater dispersal. Genetic studies have shown that the Chaco tortoise of Argentina and Paragu… See more

    Darwin's development of theory of evolution

    Charles Darwin visited the Galápagos for five weeks on the second voyage of HMS Beagle in 1835 and saw Galápagos tortoises on San Cristobal (Chatham) and Santiago (James) Islands. They appeared several tim… See more

    Conservation

    Several waves of human exploitation of the tortoises as a food source caused a decline in the total wild population from around 250,000 when first discovered in the 16th century to a low of 3,060 individuals in a 1974 censu… See more

     
  1. Fernandina Island Galápagos tortoise - Wikipedia

  2. List of subspecies of Galápagos tortoise - Wikipedia

    Chelonoidis niger (the Galápagos tortoise) is a tortoise species endemic to the Galápagos Islands. It includes at least 14, and possibly up to 16, subspecies. [1]

  3. Galápagos Tortoise - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on …

    The Galápagos tortoise (Chelonoidis niger) is the largest living species of tortoise. 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.

  4. Galápagos tortoises, facts and photos - National Geographic

  5. Galapagos Tortoise - Smithsonian Ocean

    Galapagos Tortoise. (David Clark) On the Galapagos Islands, William Dampier wrote excitedly of the giant tortoises he encountered: “I do believe there is no place in the world that is so plentifully stored with these animals….”.

  6. Giant tortoise - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

  7. People also ask
  8. Fernandina Island Galápagos tortoise - Animalia

  9. 21 Interesting Facts About Galapagos Tortoises

    Mar 26, 2024 · As their name suggests, you can find them in the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific ocean off the coast of Ecuador. While they aren’t the fastest, you might be surprised how far they’ll travel despite their speed. Learn more …

    Missing:

    • wikipedia

    Must include:

  10. Pinta Island tortoise - Wikipedia

    The Pinta Island tortoise [4] (Chelonoidis niger abingdonii [2] [5]), also known as the Pinta giant tortoise, [2] Abingdon Island tortoise, [1] or Abingdon Island giant tortoise, [2] is a recently extinct subspecies of Galápagos tortoise native to …