Jaret Diaz

Science Class
Period 3
Sep 23, 2019

Giant Galapagos Tortoise

On the Galapagos Islands, there lives a matchless creature, the Giant Galapagos Tortoise.

There are at least thirteen islands in the Galapagos. There are also many active volcanoes on the

islands. Most of the wild animals there have little or no fear of humans. That means that you can

swim with them, eat with them, or do almost anything with them.

Initially, the Galapagos Tortoise can live up to more than 100 years old. The oldest

Galapagos Tortoise ever recorded was 177 years old. This is less than half of the age of some

other animals that live more than 100 years. The oldest tortoise ever recorded was 250 years old.

Part of the reason certain tortoises can live so long is because they have a super slow

metabolism.

Additionally, a male Galapagos Tortoise can weigh from 500 to 600 pounds. They grow

6 feet long, and 4 through 5 feet long. On the other hand, a female Galapagos Tortoise weighs

from 250 to 300 pounds. They also grow around half the size of a male Galapagos Tortoise.

Their sturdy legs help them lift up all that weight, they spend a lot of time laying down to

conserve energy.

Finally, the tortoise can eat up to 80 pounds of food per day. Since they eat so slowly, it

could take many hours of the day to eat all of this. They eat berries, lichen, leaves, cactus, grass,

and many more plants. The Galapagos Tortoise can go without eating or drinking for a year
because they can store food and water really well. If there is a long dry season, the Galapagos

Tortoise can use the water they stored.

Once again, the Giant Galapagos Tortoise is a great animal. It has many cool features that

help it survive in the mighty Galapagos Islands. Like most animals the Galapagos Tortoise

species is endangered. They need your help to have more chances of surviving. What will you do

to be part of the reason these animals will thrive in this dangerous world?