The Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea) is a species of tortoise in the family Testudinidae. Let’s start learn more about them!
More About The Aldabra Giant Tortoise
Habitat of Aldabra Giant Tortoise
Aldabra Giant Tortoise is from Aldabra Island. The main population of these tortoises is on the island of Aldabra Atoll. This place is protect from human influence and is home to around 100,000 of these giant tortoises. Another isolated population on the island of Changuu, near Zanzibar. The natural habitat occupies a number of areas of grassland, low scrub, mangrove forests, and coastal sand dunes.
Characteristics
Having a brown or tan carapace with a high domed shape. This species has stumpy legs and heavy scales to support its heavy body. The neck of the Aldabra giant tortoise is extremely long, even for its large size, which helps it utilize tree branches up to one meter from the ground as a food source. While breeding this tortoise typically lays 3-4 eggs at a time, with 8 months incubation. An aldabra tortoise as weight as 4 people (average weight ±62 kg) or weight up to 250 kg. Females are generally smaller than males, the life span reaches 80-120 years, some have even been found up to 200 years!
Diet & Behavior
Primarily herbivores, Aldabra giant tortoises eat grasses, leaves, woody plant stems, and fruit. They occasionally indulge in small invertebrates and carrion, even eating the bodies of other dead tortoises. In captivity, Aldabra giant tortoises are know to consume fruits such as apples and bananas, as well as compressed vegetable pellets. Little fresh water is available for drinking in the tortoises’ natural habitat, so they obtain most of their moisture from their food.
Aldabra tortoises are found both individually and in herds, which tend to gather mostly on open grasslands. They are most active in the mornings, when they spend time grazing and browsing for food. They dig wallows, hide under shade trees or in small caves, as well as submerge themselves in pools to keep cool during the heat of the day.
Thus, information about the Aldabra Giant Tortoise. Now, are you ready to get involved in animal welfare with Bali Safari Park? See more about Bali Safari Birds here!
