Aldabra Tortoise
Geochelone gigantean
Type:
Reptile
Life Span
150+ years
Size
Females: 35 in. long
Males: 47 in. long
Average Weight
300-500 lbs
Group Name
—-
Group Size
Solitary
Name of Young
Hatchling
Facts
- Aldabra tortoises are the world’s second largest tortoise and some males reach 550 lbs. The largest species is the Galapagos tortoise. Wild aldabras live on a group of islands called the Aldabra Atoll, and prefer grasslands and coastal dunes.
- Females will lay 4-14 eggs at a time, but only about half of the eggs will be fertile. Incubation time varies depending on the weather and may last 110-250 days. The offspring receive no parental care.
- They are herbivores and eat leaves, grasses, fruit, and flowers. They are considered seed distributors and play an important role in the ecology of the region they live in.
- These large tortoises are very strong and are capable of knocking down small trees to find leaves to eat. When they do this, they create pathways for other animals.
Did You Know?
A tortoise’s shell is part of their body’s skeleton and not their house. 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
