Giant Galapagos Tortoise (Geochelone elephantopus)
Galapagos Islands
Santa Cruz Island
Off The Coast Of Ecuador
The Galápagos tortoise or Galápagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra and related species) are the largest living species of tortoise. Modern Galápagos tortoises can weigh up to 417 kg (919 lb). Today, giant tortoises exist only on two remote archipelagos: the Galápagos Islands 1000 km due west of mainland Ecuador, and Aldabra in the Indian Ocean, 700 km east of Tanzania.
The Galápagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanic islands distributed on either side of the Equator in the Pacific Ocean, 926 km (500 mi) west of the country of Ecuador, of which they are a part.
The Galápagos Islands and its surrounding waters form an Ecuadorian province, a national park, and a biological marine reserve. The principal language on the islands is Spanish. The islands have a population of slightly over 25,000.
The islands are famed for their vast number of endemic species. They were studied by Charles Darwin during the voyage of the Beagle. His observations and collections contributed to the inception of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection.
Most of the animals will let you within several feet of them to take photographs, but should not be touched. There are paths to walk on to the various parts of the islands, but must not be left for the safety of the animals. There are no major predators on the islands, because they could not reach there from the continent.
The age of these tortoises is between 70 and 100 years old. They continue to grow throughout their lifetime. - Wikipedia.
Giant Galapagos Tortoise (Geochelone elephantopus)
Galapagos Islands
Santa Cruz Island
Off The Coast Of Ecuador
The Galápagos tortoise or Galápagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra and related species) are the largest living species of tortoise. Modern Galápagos tortoises can weigh up to 417 kg (919 lb). Today, giant tortoises exist only on two remote archipelagos: the Galápagos Islands 1000 km due west of mainland Ecuador, and Aldabra in the Indian Ocean, 700 km east of Tanzania.
The Galápagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanic islands distributed on either side of the Equator in the Pacific Ocean, 926 km (500 mi) west of the country of Ecuador, of which they are a part.
The Galápagos Islands and its surrounding waters form an Ecuadorian province, a national park, and a biological marine reserve. The principal language on the islands is Spanish. The islands have a population of slightly over 25,000.
The islands are famed for their vast number of endemic species. They were studied by Charles Darwin during the voyage of the Beagle. His observations and collections contributed to the inception of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection.
Most of the animals will let you within several feet of them to take photographs, but should not be touched. There are paths to walk on to the various parts of the islands, but must not be left for the safety of the animals. There are no major predators on the islands, because they could not reach there from the continent.
The age of these tortoises is between 70 and 100 years old. They continue to grow throughout their lifetime. - Wikipedia.