The Giants from Galapagos Archipelago
It is possible, though perhaps unlikely, that among the remaining giant tortoises of the Galápagos Islands, there exists an old-timer that was a hatchling at the time of Charles Darwin's famous visit in 1835. Giant tortoises are the longest-lived of all vertebrates, averaging over 100 years. The oldest on record lived to be 152.
They are also the world's largest tortoises, with some specimens exceeding 5 feet (1.5 meters) in length and reaching 550 pounds (250 kilograms). There are now only 11 types of giant tortoises left in the Galápagos, down from 15 when Darwin arrived. Hunted as food by pirates, whalers, and merchantmen during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, more than 100,000 tortoises are estimated to have been killed off. Nonnative species such as feral pigs, dogs, cats, rats, goats, and cattle are a continuing threat to their food supply and eggs. Today, only about 15,000 remain.
The tortoises are now listed as endangered and have been strictly protected by the Ecuadorian government since 1970. Captive breeding efforts by the Charles Darwin Research Station are also having positive effects. Galápagos tortoises lead an uncomplicated life, grazing on grass, leaves, and cactus, basking in the sun, and napping nearly 16 hours per day. A slow metabolism and large internal stores of water mean they can survive up to a year without eating or drinking.
Spanish sailors who discovered the archipelago in 1535 actually named it after the abundant tortoises; the Spanish word for tortoise is galápago.
Tortoises were highly prized by the pirates and whalers who frequented the islands from the seventeenth through nineteenth century since they could be kept alive on ships for months, thus providing fresh meat and supplementing what must have been a very dull diet. Darwin reported that "the breast-plate roasted, with the flesh on it, is very good; and the young tortoises make excellent soup; but otherwise the meat to my taste is indifferent." The females were particularly devestated because they come to lower elevations to nest, where as males tend to remain in the moister highlands.
They are also the world's largest tortoises, with some specimens exceeding 5 feet (1.5 meters) in length and reaching 550 pounds (250 kilograms). There are now only 11 types of giant tortoises left in the Galápagos, down from 15 when Darwin arrived. Hunted as food by pirates, whalers, and merchantmen during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, more than 100,000 tortoises are estimated to have been killed off. Nonnative species such as feral pigs, dogs, cats, rats, goats, and cattle are a continuing threat to their food supply and eggs. Today, only about 15,000 remain.
The tortoises are now listed as endangered and have been strictly protected by the Ecuadorian government since 1970. Captive breeding efforts by the Charles Darwin Research Station are also having positive effects. Galápagos tortoises lead an uncomplicated life, grazing on grass, leaves, and cactus, basking in the sun, and napping nearly 16 hours per day. A slow metabolism and large internal stores of water mean they can survive up to a year without eating or drinking.
Spanish sailors who discovered the archipelago in 1535 actually named it after the abundant tortoises; the Spanish word for tortoise is galápago.
Tortoises were highly prized by the pirates and whalers who frequented the islands from the seventeenth through nineteenth century since they could be kept alive on ships for months, thus providing fresh meat and supplementing what must have been a very dull diet. Darwin reported that "the breast-plate roasted, with the flesh on it, is very good; and the young tortoises make excellent soup; but otherwise the meat to my taste is indifferent." The females were particularly devestated because they come to lower elevations to nest, where as males tend to remain in the moister highlands.
Fast Facts
There are many subspecies of giant tortoises that are found on different islands and have different appearances. Those that live on the larger islands where there is more rain have “dome” shaped shells, while those that live in drier conditions are smaller tortoises and have a “saddleback” shell. On June 24, 2012, the world-famous giant tortoise affectionately known as “Lonesome George” passed away. He was the last surviving land tortoise from Pinta Island, one of the northern islands in the Galápagos. Thought to be 100 years old, Lonesome George lived at the Charles Darwin Research Station since he was found in 1971. For more than three decades, the Galápagos National Park tried to save the Pinta subspecies by finding George a mate. Unfortunately they did not succeed. Sadly with Lonesome George’s passing, there will be no more Pinta Island tortoises. Did you know? Today the 3,000 to 5,000 tortoises that live on Volcano Alcedo on Isabela Island are the largest group of giant tortoises in the Galápagos. Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man. The giant dome-shaped tortoise has the longest lifespan of all vertebrates. Their sleeping, feeding, and nesting behaviors are very habitual. The exact life expectancy of a wild Galapagos tortoise is uncertain, but is probably 100 to 150 years. An adult Madagascar tortoise presented as a gift to the Queen of Tonga in the 1770's died in 1966. They reach sexual maturity only at age 20 to 30. | Watch video : The tortoises, from which the name Galapagos derives, have come to symbolize the islands, their unique fauna, and the threats to it. The only other species of giant tortoises half a world away, in the Indian Ocean on the Madagascar and the Seychelles. closest relatives tortoises. Today, their greatest threat comes from competition with feral cattle, burros, and particularly goats. Wild dogs, cats, rats, and pigs also attack the eggs and young. |