Galápagos tortoise
Quick Summary
The Galápagos tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra) is a reptile belonging to the family Testudinidae. These tortoises are known for their immense size and longevity. Giant tortoises, including those from the Galápagos Islands, can have shells exceeding 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length. The largest recorded Galápagos tortoise weighed approximately 417 kg (919 pounds) with a shell length of 1.36 meters (4.46 feet).1
Tortoises inhabit diverse environments across all continents except Australia and Antarctica, from arid deserts to tropical forests. They are primarily vegetarians, feeding on foliage, flowers, and fruits, though some species may consume animal matter. Tortoises are renowned for their long lifespans, with many individuals living over 60 years in the wild and even longer in captivity. The world's oldest known terrestrial animal, a Seychelles giant tortoise named Jonathan, hatched in the early 1830s.23
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