Galápagos Tortoise, The Largest Tortoise Species In The Universe

Setyo Augi Pribadi

(Chelonoidis Nigra and related species)

Galápagos Tortoise are known as the largest living species of tortoise. The Galápagos name is a name of island that in part to Republic of Ecuador (spanish) which classified as an archipelago of volcanic islands. Modern breed of this species can weigh up to 474 kg (919 lb). In the wild living, this animal has a lifespan of over 100 years, it is one of the longest-lived vertebrates. A captive indvidual lived at least 170 years.

(Distinctives)

It has distinctives of shell size and shape that vary between populations. On islands with humid highlands, the tortoise are larger, with domed shells and short necks; on islands with dry lowlands, the tortoise are smaller, with "saddleback" shells and long necks.

as you can see the pictures above, on the left is called the "saddleback" that originated from dry lowlands; and on the right is originated from humid highlands. 

(Behavior)

The tortoises are ectothermic (cold-blooded), so they bask for 1-2 hours after dawn to absorb the sun's heat trough their dark shells before actively foraging for 8-9 hours a day. Sometimes, they rest in mud wallows or rain-formed pools which may be both a thermoregulatory response during cool nights, and a protection from parasites such as mosquitoes and ticks.

(Diet)

They are herbivores that consumes a diet of cacti, grasses, leaves, berries, melons, oranges, and milkweed. They have been documented feeding on Hippomane mancinella ('poison apple'), the endemic guava Psidium galapageium, the water fern Azolla microphylla, and the bromeliad Tillandsia insularis.

This species is ever been observated by Charles Darwin on the second voyage of the beagle in 1835, contributed to the development of his evolution theory. 

Besides all of that, there is a sad news about the population. The numbers declined from over 250.000 in the 16th century to a low around 3.000 in the 1970s. This decline was caused by overexploitation for meat and oil, habitat clearance for agriculture, and introduction of non-native animals to the islands, such as rats, goats, and pigs. since that situation, this species are classified to be endangered of threat status. The extinction of most giant tortoise lineages is thought to have also been caused by predation by humans or human ancestors, as the tortoises themselves have no natural predators.

I hope are existence as human being could protect the living of nature from extinction because we're not the only living here.

This is my first writing post. Thanks for reading! Hope you are waiting to see my upcoming posts.

Source: Wikipedia
Image: Saddleback, Domed