Giant Tortoise Aldabrachelys gigantea Seychelles Africa. Eats Grasses, vegetation and herbs. Herbivorous. Tropical grassland,


Giant Tortoise Aldabrachelys gigantea Seychelles Africa. Eats Grasses, vegetation and herbs. Herbivorous. Tropical grassland, coast. Conservation status: Vulnerable. Relatives: Egyptian tortoise, Galapagos giant tortoise The male giant tortoise at Bristol Zoo Gardens is currently at the centre of a very exciting debate. Previously it was thought to belong to a species called the Aldabran giant tortoise, but in the last few years, it has been suggested that it may be a survivor from a species that was thought extinct - the Seychelles giant tortoise (Dipsochelys hololissa). Their lifespan is at least 100 years, possibly up to 150. The Zoo's male is thought to be over 80 years old - a survivor from an almost extinct species. Giant tortoises grow steadily for the first 40 years of their lives and, given enough food, can weigh up to 254 kg. The head and legs are much too big to be completely withdrawn into the shells. The shell does not need to serve as protection from predators because there are no predators on the islands where they evolved. Little is known about Seychelles giant tortoises in the wild, because none are believed to be alive in the wild. The Aldabran giant tortoises still survive in large numbers on their island home, largely free of predators and competitors. They graze grassy areas on the island in large numbers. There are over 100,000 on the island of Aldabra. So many graze the grass on the island that the grasses themselves have adopted a special low-growing form to avoid being killed completely by the tortoises. The tortoises start to feed early in the morning, before it is too hot, when the dew is thick on the grass. By mid-morning they are still feeding, but now with their heads faced away from the sun to keep their heads cool. By midday, they have stopped feeding and have taken refuge in the shade of the few trees on the island. By late evening they emerge once again to feed.


Size: 4287px × 2848px
Location: Bristol Zoo Bristol Somerset South West England United Kingdom
Photo credit: © Roland Pargeter / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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