Galápagos Tortoise

giant animals · islands · reptiles · long-lived

Massive size. Galápagos tortoises are the biggest tortoises alive today and can weigh up to 417 kilograms, which is about as heavy as a baby elephant or a grand piano.

Island home. These incredible tortoises live on the Galápagos Islands off the coast of South America, where they evolved into giants over millions of years.

Cold-blooded giants. Unlike mammals that make their own body heat, Galápagos tortoises are cold-blooded ectotherms, meaning they rely on the sun to warm up their massive bodies.

Many subspecies. Scientists have identified 15 different subspecies of Galápagos tortoises, each slightly different depending on which island they live on.

Incredible lifespan. These tortoises live for well over 100 years, with some individuals living past 150 years old, making them among the longest-living animals on Earth.