The Galápagos giant tortoise is considered as the largest living species of tortoise on this planet. Another giant tortoise species are available as well in Seychelles and Mauritius. We visited giant tortoise conservation project areas in Santa Cruz Island and San Cristobal Island (Galapagos, Ecuador). The projects have increased the number of the giant tortoise that nearly extinct. There are around 6,000 giant tortoises on the island as the result of the conservation in San Cristobal (since the year 2002), which is a remarkable result. During the visits, I have learned some interesting facts and would love to share them with you, and of course, with the images of this impressive species…

Giant Tortoise

Giant Tortoise

 Interestingly, all of the tortoise species in the archipelago of Galápagos was believed to be evolved from one species.

Giant Tortoise greeted us 🙂

Giant Tortoise

Giant Tortoise

The origin species was believed to arrive in the islands the archipelago swept by the Humboldt Current from the coast of Chile and Peru.

Giant Tortoise

Giant Tortoise

Giant Tortoise

It evolved into 11 different species as a result of the geographic isolation in their islands. Unfortunately, three species are now extinct.

Giant Tortoise

Giant Tortoise

Life expectancy in the wild and in captivity reached 150 years.

Giant Tortoise

Giant Tortoise

Giant Tortoise

They eat fruits, leaves, aquatic ferns and sleep for 16 hours a day.  And they can live without food or drink for one year!

Giant Tortoise

Giant Tortoise

Giant Tortoise