At one time, the giant tortoises of the Galapagos islands were plentiful, and included five distinct forms. Now, after being nearly wiped out, they are protected by law. Different forms live on different islands, with the exception of Isabella, and conservation and breeding programs are in force.
	The giant tortoises eat grasses, cacti, and other vegetation during the day. They drink water from pools when available, but have the ability to produce their own water by a metabolic process. They can go for more than a year without drinking or eating.
	It takes a giant tortoise about twenty years to become mature enough to mate. For one month, males go courting and get rid of competing males by ramming them with their heads. Females lay between three to twelve eggs at a time, called a clutch, once or twice a year. The hatchlings incubate for six or seven months and then climb out of their nests. They are prey to the Galapagos hawks.
	Tortoises sleep at night, huddled into their shells, underneath bushes, trees or rocks. The shape of their shells is dependent on their living conditions. Those living on the drier islands have a narrow shell which allows them to reach up for leaves over their heads. Those tortoises living where vegetation and water exist have rounder, domed shells to protect their bodies.
	There are four forms of sea turtles living in the Galapagos. Their front legs have modified into flippers for the water. They breathe air, but can stay submerged for a long time. Depending on their form, they feed on bottom algae, sea-grasses, jellyfish, bottom sponges, crabs and mollusks.

More Tortoise Photos

Photograph thanks to ArtToday.com

Descriptions and help from:

• Ecuador and its Galapagos Islands
  by David L. Pearson and Les Beletsky
• Galapagos Islands Born of Fire
  by Tui De Roy