Galapagos Tortoises

Let's Learn About Galapagos Tortoises

Word of the Week

Terrestrial

Terrestrial animals live on land. Galapagos tortoises and most other tortoises are terrestrial. This makes them different than turtles.

Lions, zebras, and humans are also terrestrial.

Fast Facts

Where do Galapagos tortoises live?

Galapagos tortoises are endemic to the Galapagos islands. This means they don't live anywhere else.

The Galapagos islands are in the Pacific Ocean about 600 miles off the coast of South America. The islands have woodlands, dry shrubland, rocky coastlines, and many other habitats.

What do Galapagos tortoises eat?

Like most tortoises, Galapagos tortoises are herbivores.

They eat leaves, cacti, grasses, flowers, and fruit. Plants on each island are different, so the type of plants Galapagos tortoises eat depends on what island they live on!

What do Galapagos tortoises share with other tortoises?

Galapagos tortoises are related to other tortoises, so they have a lot in common!

They have a large shell made of bone and keratin.
They live on land.
They are herbivores.
They have a toothless mouth called a beak.

How many Galapagos tortoises are there?

There is one species of Galapagos tortoise with 14-15 subspecies.

Scientists estimate there are about 15,000 Galapagos tortoises left in the wild. Today, they are threatened by invasive species, poachers, and habitat loss.

Species Spotlight

Domed Vs. Saddleback Tortoises

Adaptations are traits that animals have developed over many generations. Animals in different habitats develop different adaptations that help them survive in their particular habitat. For example, fennec foxes have brown fur that helps them camouflage in the desert. Meanwhile, Arctic foxes have white fur that helps them camouflage in winter snow.

Like all animals, Galapagos tortoises have adaptations. Each island has a unique habitat, so Galapagos tortoises have developed different adaptions between islands.

Some islands are humid with lots of grass. Tortoises on these islands tend to have short necks and domed shells. Domed shells have a low opening for the tortoise’s head, keeping it low to the ground.

Other islands are much drier. They have shrubs and cacti instead of grass. Tortoises on these islands have long necks and saddleback shells. Saddleback shells have a higher opening for the tortoise’s head. This allows tortoises to lift their head high.

Scientists think these adaptations help them eat the specific plants on their island. Grass-eating tortoises feed low to the ground, while leaf- and cacti-eating tortoises need to be able to reach food up higher. Without these adaptations, Galapagos tortoises would struggle to reach the food they need to survive.

Conservation Corner

Rules & Regulations of the Galapagos Islands

Some of the world’s most unique species live in the Galapagos Islands. Giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and penguins all call the Galapagos Islands home. Tourists travel from around the world to see these rare animals. To protect them, many rules have been put into place.

Let’s take a look at some…

Tourists must be with an experienced guide when exploring the park.
Tourists must stay on the trails and at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from wildlife.
Tourists must not feed or touch wildlife.
Tourists must not bring non-native plants or animals to the Galapagos Islands.
Tourists may not remove anything from the Galapagos Islands, either living or not.

These rules ensure wildlife in the Galapagos Islands are protected from poachers, invasive species, and the destruction of their homes.

You can help protect wildlife when you travel by educating yourself on the rules in the area. You can support wildlife in the Galapagos Islands by donating to organizations like the Galapagos Conservancy which works to protect wildlife and educate tourists.