The Galápagos tortoises are one of two insular radiations of giant tortoises that still survive to the modern day; the other is Aldabrachelys gigantea of Aldabra and the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean, …

What is a Galápagos tortoise? There are 13 living species of Galápagos tortoises, which are also sometimes called giant tortoises.

Basic facts about Galápagos Tortoise: lifespan, distribution and habitat map, lifestyle and social behavior, mating habits, diet and nutrition, population size and status.

Giant tortoises live exclusively on the Galápagos Islands, 1,000 kilometers (over 600 miles) off the coast of Ecuador in South America. Scientists believe the tortoises arrived from mainland South America …

There are two types of Galápagos tortoises: the largest, with big, round shells, called “domes,” and smaller kinds of tortoises with shells that curl up in front like a saddle and are called “saddlebacks.”

The giant tortoises found in Galapagos are thought to be amongst the last survivors of a global species of giant tortoise that were found on all continents except Antarctica. Today, giant tortoises can only …

Galápagos tortoises live on the Galápagos Islands, situated 970 km (600 mi.) off the coast of Ecuador. Scientists believe the first tortoises arrived on one the islands 2-3 million years ago by drifting on …

A huge decline in the population of Galapagos tortoise was caused through their exploitation by whalers and fur traders, who discovered that these giant tortoises could live for months on their ships without …

Jul 30, 2025 · The Galapagos Islands are home to distinct species of giant tortoises, each adapted to its island environment. Historically, there were 15 recognized subspecies, with 12 still alive today.

Each of the 13 larger islands in the Galápagos Islands has a different subspecies of the giant tortoise, uniquely suited for survival on that particular island’s habitat.