Aldabra Tortoise
Geochelone giganteaClass: Reptilia Order: Testudines Family: Testudinidae
Size
Weight: 300-550 lbs
Diet
Aldabra tortoises are herbivores and feed on leaves, grasses, fruit, and flowers.
Lifespan
Up to 150+ years
Habitat & Range
Grasslands, mangrove swamps, and coastal dunes of the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles, located north of Madagascar
Interesting Facts
- Aldabra tortoises are the world’s second largest tortoise species, and some males reach 550 lbs in weight. The largest species of tortoise is the Galapagos tortoise.
- A tortoise’s shell is part of its body’s skeleton, so tortoises cannot leave their shells. The top part of the shell is called a carapace, and the underside is called the plastron. The shell provides the tortoise with protection from predators.
- These large tortoises are very strong and can knock down small trees to find leaves to eat. When they do this, they create pathways for other animals.
Conservation Status
Vulnerable
Threats
These tortoises are threatened by poaching and loss of habitat due to human encroachment.
