Galapagos (or Giant) Tortoise. Saddle-backed shell. Geochelone elephantopus.
The giant tortoise reaches sexual maturity at about 40 years of age. From January through August, toward the end of the rainy season, the male begins to sniff the air, searching for a female’s scent. He will posture and heave competitive males to demonstrate his dominance, and then he will commence the quest for a female mate. Once a female is found, he chases her down and begins a unique style of courtship that involves intimidation. He knocks against her with the front of his shell and bites at her feet until she draws her legs in, which immobilizes her. At that point he mates with her.
The saddle-backed tortoises have saddle shaped shells with a high notch above the head, allowing their necks to reach up higher to eat vegetation off trees and bushes. These are found in the drier and more arid of the islands, where there is less vegetation on the ground.
THANK YOU for your visits, comments and favs
Galapagos (or Giant) Tortoise. Saddle-backed shell. Geochelone elephantopus.
The giant tortoise reaches sexual maturity at about 40 years of age. From January through August, toward the end of the rainy season, the male begins to sniff the air, searching for a female’s scent. He will posture and heave competitive males to demonstrate his dominance, and then he will commence the quest for a female mate. Once a female is found, he chases her down and begins a unique style of courtship that involves intimidation. He knocks against her with the front of his shell and bites at her feet until she draws her legs in, which immobilizes her. At that point he mates with her.
The saddle-backed tortoises have saddle shaped shells with a high notch above the head, allowing their necks to reach up higher to eat vegetation off trees and bushes. These are found in the drier and more arid of the islands, where there is less vegetation on the ground.
THANK YOU for your visits, comments and favs