OuiSi Nature · Card 45

Giant Tortoise

Chelonoidis microphyes

Location: "Arnaldo Tupiza Chamaidan" Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, Isla Isabela, Galapagos National Park, Ecuador
Date: March 16, 2016

Photograph byInaê Guion

Description

The Giant tortoise is one of the longest-lived vertebrate species, living more than 100 years. As well, it is one of the largest reptiles in the world. The current living species are native to each of the large islands of the Galápagos Archipelago (Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Española, Fernandina, Pinzón and Santiago) and to the five major volcanoes of Isabela Island (Wolf, Darwin, Alcedo, Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul). In the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center the endemic species of Isabela Island are bred (Chelonoidis microphyes, Chelonoidis becki, Chelonoidis guentheri, Chelonoidis vandenburghi, Chelonoidis vicina) and when the individuals reach a certain age and size they are introduced into nature so that they can live freely.

Learn moreinaeguion.com/galapagos

The photographer