The Aldabra giant tortoise is endemic to the Seychelles. A very large tortoise, it is a long-lived animal that is said to have a lifespan of around 150 years. It is recorded to have lived for 255 years, which means it can live much longer than humans. This tortoise is classified in the genus Aldabra giant tortoise in the reptile order Tortoise family, and has been introduced to Mauritius and Tanzania in recent years. However, this turtle is an endangered species and its population continues to decline.
habitat
The Aldabra giant tortoise is endemic to the Seychelles.
Characteristics
The Aldabra giant tortoise is one of the giant tortoises, with a carapace length of over 100 cm. They can weigh between 150 and 250 kg. Males are the ones that get bigger, and females are often less than 90 cm. The color of the carapace is black or dark brown, and the head is slightly flattened. This turtle is sensitive to heat and is prone to heatstroke in the summer. In hot weather, they are active at dawn and dusk and bathe to cool down. The main habitats are grasslands, woodlands and marshes. This tortoise is one of the largest tortoises in the world, along with the Galapagos giant tortoise. At the same time, it is also one of the longest-lived turtles in the world. It has skin scales like an elephant and is very hard.
Ecology
Aldabra giant tortoises are herbivorous and eat leaves and nuts. The mode of reproduction is oviparous. The breeding season is from January to April every year. Males cover the female’s carapace from behind and copulate with intermittent calls. It prefers flat and dense areas for spawning, and lays around 4-10 eggs at a time. Incubation of the eggs takes three to six months. The Aldabra giant tortoise is one of the longest living tortoises in the world, living up to 150 years in the wild. There is a record of about 250 years at maximum in captivity, and it is possible to live several times longer than humans.
endangered species
Although the Aldabra giant tortoise is a long-lived turtle, it is listed as an endangered species. This is because land development in the African region and overhunting by humans for food and pets have become a problem. In the Seychelles, which saw the situation seriously, it is legally protected and protected. Furthermore, it was listed in CITES Appendix II, and international trade was also restricted. Efforts are underway to set up a reserve in the Seychelles to breed and exhibit this turtle, but the reality is that there is still a lot of illegal poaching and the population has not increased. The current estimated population of Aldabra giant tortoises is 100,000.
Breeding
Aldabra giant tortoises are prohibited from international trade, and since they live longer than humans, they are quite difficult to keep. Because someone needs to raise the turtle after your death. It is said that humans will live longer than 120 years in the future, but even so, they are still far behind giant tortoises. See it at the zoo or go to the Seychelles.
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