Our Galaps love attention, our keeper describes them as "big puppies with shells", they can weigh up to 700 pounds, Our biggest one is a male named Charlie and he's about 450 pounds, Ours are about 40 years old.
We also have two Aldabra Tortoises, basically the same as far as age/weight/diet go but they are found on the Seychelle Islands and have a slightly different shaped head-it's more sloped in the front.
GALAPAGOS TORTOISES Geochelone elephantopus.
ABOUT Galapagos Tortoise populations have reached near extinction in the last century. Years of being captured by sailors as a meat supply and loss of habitat from introduced mammals on the islands have contributed to depleated numbers. Galapagos Tortoises are the largest tortoises in the world. They are also the longest living vertibrates. Life spans are thought to reach hundreds of years. There are several different species of these giant tortoises on nearby islands each with distinct physical characteristics.
DIET Herbavores, diet consists of fruit and vegetables.
SIZE Males from 120lbs. to 700lbs., females are slightly smaller.
HABITAT Galapagos Islands.
MATING Breeding occurs at the end of the dry season and eggs are laid at the beginning of the wet season. The female lays 7 to 20 eggs in a approx. 10" hole dug for them. Incubation period lasts from 120 to 200 days. Tortoises reach sexual maturity at 40 to 50 years old.
