10 Interesting the Galapagos Tortoise Facts
The Galapagos Tortoise Facts inform the people with the largest living species of tortoise. The biological name of this animal is Chelonoidis nigra. It is also called Galapagos giant tortoise. The weight of modern Galapagos tortoises can reach up to 919 lb or 417 kilogram. There are only two remote areas in the world inhabited by Galapagos tortoises. You can spot them in Aldabra in Indian Ocean and Galapagos located 1000 kilometer on the west side of Ecuador. Let’s check other interesting facts about Galapagos tortoises below:
The Galapagos Tortoise Facts 1: the Galapagos Islands
The animals are called Galapagos tortoises because they are originated to Galapagos Islands. They are located on the west side of Ecuador.
The Galapagos Tortoise Facts 2: the long life
Galapagos tortoises have a very long life. There is no need to wonder that among the vertebrates, it receives the title as one of the longest lived animals. It has the life span up to 100 years in the wild. If Galapagos tortoises live in captivity, their life span reaches 170 years. Look at facts about cane toad here.
Facts about The Galapagos Tortoise
The Galapagos Tortoise Facts 3: the name of tortoise
The name of tortoise was derived from the name of the Spanish word for tortoise, Galapago. In 16th century, the animals were discovered by the Spanish explorers in the islands.
The Galapagos Tortoise Facts 4: shape and size of shells
The shells of Galapagos Tortoise are unique. The population of Galapagos Tortoises has different shapes and sizes of shells.
The Galapagos Tortoise Facts
The Galapagos Tortoise Facts 5: Galapagos Tortoises in the dry lowlands
The Galapagos Tortoises have long necks, saddleback shells and smaller body if they live on the islands with dry lowlands.
The Galapagos Tortoise Facts 6: Galapagos Tortoise in humid highlands
Galapagos Tortoises which live on the islands with humid highlands have different characteristics. They have shorter necks, domed shells and larger body.
The Galapagos Tortoise Pic
The Galapagos Tortoise Facts 7: the theory of evolution
The people who study about biology must know about the theory of evolution by Charles Darwin. The development of his theory was contributed from Darwin’s second voyage in 1835 where he noticed on the differences of Galapagos Tortoises.
The Galapagos Tortoise Facts 8: the number of Galapagos Tortoises
The population of Galapagos Tortoises decreased from 16th century to 1970s. In 1970s, there were only 3,000 Galapagos Tortoises. In 16th century, the population of Galapagos Tortoises reached 250,000 individuals. Get facts about swan here.
The Galapagos Tortoise Pictures
The Galapagos Tortoise Facts 9: the causes of decreased Galapagos Tortoises
The population of Galapagos Tortoise declined because of various reasons such as the non native animal introduction, overexploitation and habitat clearance.
The Galapagos Tortoise Facts 10: color of shell
Galapagos Tortoises have the dull brown color. The shell or carapace is bony and large. Check squid facts here.
The Galapagos Tortoise
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