Giant Tortoises: Aldabra and Galapagos
The Aldabra tortoise and the Galapagos tortoise are the two largest land tortoises in the world. They live on islands and can weigh over 500 pounds. Both are endangered and need our help.
What is it?
You learned about two kinds of giant tortoises. The Aldabra tortoise (Geochelone gigantea) lives on the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles. It is the second largest land tortoise, weighing up to 500 pounds. The Galapagos tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra) lives on the Galapagos Islands and is the largest land tortoise, weighing up to 600 pounds. Its shell has a honeycomb structure that makes it lighter.
How old?
Aldabra tortoises can live 65 to 90 years on average, but one lived to be 255 years old! Galapagos tortoises also live a long time, often over 100 years.
What was it like?
Both tortoises are very big and slow. They eat plants like grass and leaves. The Galapagos tortoise has a special shell that is lighter because of honeycomb-like bones inside. This helps it move more easily.
Why does it matter?
These tortoises are amazing because they are the biggest land tortoises. But they are in danger. The Aldabra tortoise is critically endangered, with only about 100,000 to 150,000 left in the wild. The Galapagos tortoise is endangered because of habitat loss and changes in the environment. People are working to protect them.
Connections
Next to find
- Find a picture of a Galapagos tortoise shell up close.
- Learn about another animal that lives on the Galapagos Islands.
- Find out what people are doing to protect these tortoises.
巨型陆龟：亚达伯拉象龟和加拉帕戈斯象龟
亚达伯拉象龟和加拉帕戈斯象龟是世界上最大的两种陆龟。它们生活在岛屿上，体重可超过500磅。两者都濒临灭绝，需要我们的帮助。
这是什么？
你了解了两种巨型陆龟。亚达伯拉象龟（Geochelone gigantea）生活在塞舌尔的亚达伯拉环礁。它是第二大陆龟，体重可达500磅。加拉帕戈斯象龟（Chelonoidis nigra）生活在加拉帕戈斯群岛，是最大的陆龟，体重可达600磅。它的壳有蜂窝状结构，使其更轻。
多大了？
亚达伯拉象龟平均能活65到90年，但有一只活了255年！加拉帕戈斯象龟也活得很长，通常超过100年。
它是什么样的？
两种龟都非常大且行动缓慢。它们吃草和树叶等植物。加拉帕戈斯象龟有一个特殊的壳，因为壳内有蜂窝状的骨头而更轻。这帮助它更容易移动。
为什么重要？
这些龟很神奇，因为它们是最大的陆龟。但它们处于危险中。亚达伯拉象龟极度濒危，野外仅剩约10万到15万只。加拉帕戈斯象龟由于栖息地丧失和环境变化而濒危。人们正在努力保护它们。
联系
下一步寻找
- 找一张加拉帕戈斯象龟壳的特写照片。
- 了解另一种生活在加拉帕戈斯群岛的动物。
- 找出人们正在做什么来保护这些龟。