Aldabra Giant Tortoise
Name |
Aldabra Giant Tortoise |
Scientific Name |
Geochelone gigantea |
Characteristics |
The tortoise is a land-dwelling reptile in the family Testudinidae, which contains around 40-50 species. Tortoises are well-known for their hard outer shell that protects them from predators. This shell can range in size from a few centimetres to a couple of metres, depending on the species. The African Speckled Tortoise is the world’s smallest tortoise reaching a maximum carapace (the shell’s top) length of 11 centimeters. At Noah’s Ark, we have three species of tortoise; the Aldabra Tortoise, the African Spur Thigh Tortoise and the Leopard Tortoise. The Aldabra Giant Tortoise is one of the largest species of tortoise in the world. |
Diet |
Tortoises are herbivores and feed on grasses, sedges, flowers, succulents, and fruits. |
Size Fact |
The Galapagos tortoise is the world’s largest, with some specimens exceeding 1.5 metres. |
Food Fact |
Predators of eggs and hatchlings include small mammals, birds, and other reptiles. |
Fun Fact |
Some individuals are known to have lived longer than 150 years! |
IUCN Red list |
The Aldabra Tortoise is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. |
Where do I live? |
The Aldabra Tortoise is native to Madagascar, the Seychelles and Tanzania. |
Our tortoises |
We have 7 Aldabra giant tortoises called: Hogarth, Terrence, Blue, Hissy, Stevie, XJ and Esmerelda. |