Giant land tortoise slowly walks around the farm

Galapagos tortoise eating food.

Two male Galapagos tortoises on the island of Santa Cruz.

However, although feeding giant tortoises move about slowly, browsing with no apparent direction, if they have a purpose, such as moving to water or nesting grounds, they can move with surprising speed and determination given their size.

The rear end of a tortoise.

When a tortoise feels threatened it can withdraw its head, neck and forelimbs into its shell for protection, presenting a thick shield to a would-be predator.

Tribute to the gentle giants that call the Galapagos their home

These do have annual growth bands but are not useful for telling the age as the outer layers are rubbed off in the normal wear and tear of living.

Galapagos tortoise munching a passion fruit.

Now only eleven subspecies remain, five on Isabela Island, and the other six on Santiago, Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Pinzón, Española and Pinta.

Galapagos Tortoise charges at a male peacock at the San Diego Zoo. My dad and I comment

On Alcedo Volcano in the wet season, large numbers of tortoises can be found partially submerged in rain-formed pools or even the dew ponds formed by garua-moisture dripping off trees.

This 300 pound Galapagos Tortoise (Chips) loves to be scratched on the neck by her keeper, Chris Henderson, and holds her head up. When he puts an apple there, she balances it because she wants him to scratch her neck. (At the San Diego Zoo)Find cartoon drawings of animals at my website: http://www.LillyARTS.com

When the tortoise arrives at a spring, seemingly ignoring any spectators, it puts its head in the water above its eyes, and swallows many mouthfuls, at the rate of about ten in a minute.

Galapagos Tortoise at Busch Gardens Tampa Florida Primus My name is Mud

Although the maximum life expectancy of a wild tortoise is unknown, the average life expectancy is estimated to be 150-200 years.

日本上野公園 Galapagos Tortoise
1 Jun 2006