Grab your walkers because this critter is going to make your grandma look
like a spring chicken… the Galapagos Tortoise.
These charismatic critters are local residents of the
Galapagos. They are the largest land tortoise with some exceeding 5 feet in
length and over 550 lbs. Charles Darwin
was quoted saying "These animals grow to an
immense size ... several so large that it required six or eight men to lift
them from the ground". STOP and REWIND… DARWIN?!?!?! As in, evolution DARWIN??? The answer is yes! This critter can live well
over 160 years in captivity. Currently
the oldest living tortoise is Jonathan who’s thought to be 178, this would have
made him a year old when Darwin was circumnavigating the globe in search of
evolutionary evidence. Leading an
uncomplicated and boring life, most of their day is wasted away grazing (they
eat between 70-80 lbs per day), sun tanning and sleeping (16 hours a day). With
a slow metabolism and large internal storage devices these critters can survive
a year without food and water. Stored on
board ships because of this unique survival ability (no maintenance and fresh
meat), the tortoise was a favored food source for sailors, pirates and whalers
during the 15-17 century. During these years it was estimated 200,000 tortoises
were killed. Considered Vulnerable according to the IUCN, successful breeding
programs have brought their numbers up to around 15,000 individuals. Remember,
common courtesy rule number 1: Respect
your ELDERS!!!!
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