Aldabra tortoise

The Aldabra tortoise is classified as Vulnerable (VU), considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

Primarily herbivores, Aldabra Tortoises will eat grasses, leaves, and woody plant stems. They occasionally indulge in small invertebrates and carrion, even eating the bodies of other dead tortoises. More

The Aldabra tortoise is second only to the Galapagos tortoise as the biggest land tortoise in the world. Aldabra tortoises can weigh more than 500 pounds, with a shell more than five feet long. More

Besides being extremely large, Aldabra tortoises also have an extremely long life span. They can live more than 100 years. In the wild, Aldabra tortoises' diet consists primarily of vegetation, but they will eat small invertebrates and some carrion. More

only the Aldabra Tortoise survived beyond the beginning of the 19th century. In the late 1880’s Charles Darwin and other eminent naturalists signed a formal petition with the hope of saving the Aldabra Tortoise, which led to their protection. More

Fast Fact: The Aldabra tortoise may be the longest-lived animal on earth, with a life span of over l00 years. More

Aldabra tortoises are the largest animals in their natural environment. By manipulating their habitat through grazing, they play a role in the ecosystem by clearing paths for smaller animals. Food Aldabra tortoises are primarily herbivorous, feeding on grasses, plants and leaves. More

Aldabra tortoises are native only to Aldabra Atoll, a series of coral islands off the eastern coast of Africa; introduced populations exist on other islands in the Seychelles. Physical characteristics * Aldabras are the world’s second largest tortoise species. More

Aldabra tortoises are the remnants of a larger population of tortoises in the Indian Ocean. More

Though it feeds primarily on vegetation, the Aldabra tortoise is flexible and opportunistic in its diet. In order to obtain enough nourishment for survival, the tortoise may supplement its diet with small invertebrates and even carrion (including dead tortoises). More

The Aldabra Tortoise (Geochelone gigantea) is the world’s 2nd Largest Tortoise and is native to Aldabra Island & introduced to the Seychelles Islands. More

The Aldabra tortoise was one of the first species to be protected to ensure its survival. More

Aldabra Tortoises are one of the largest tortoises, measuring up to 5 feet in length and 500 pounds. They have a dome-shaped carapace that is usually a light shade of brown. They have claws on their feet and leathery skin. More

Aldabra tortoises are classified as "Rare in the wild" by the IUCN Range Aldabra tortoises are native to the islands of the Aldabra atoll in the Indian Ocean. More

Coconut, like the three male Aldabra tortoises, loves to bask in the beautiful Queensland sunshine. She is very friendly, often following zoo staff around her enclosure wanting a pat. She also loves a good hose-down. More

The Aldabra tortoise is becoming more commonly available in the pet trade the world over, but it is still considered one of the more specialized tortoises. The Aldabra tortoise, because of its potential large size, requires a good deal of space and special consideration. More

Aldabra tortoises are generally solitary animals but they can be social and may gather in herds, which can be found in open grasslands. They are diurnal although they are most active in the mornings when they spend time browsing for food. More

Aldabra tortoise performs a role similar to that of the elephant. Their vigorous search for food fells trees and creates pathways used by other animals. Tortoise Herds: Aldabra tortoises are found both individually and in herds, which tend to gather mostly on open grasslands. More

- The Aldabra Tortoise lives on the Aldabra Atoll, an island north of Madagascar on the coast of Kenya. More

An Aldabra tortoise in a Kenyan animal preserve also made news in 2005 when it “adopted” a lonely baby hippo that survived a tsunami. Galapagos giant tortoises are numerous throughout the volcanic islands of the Galapagos region. More

Aldabra tortoises are found on the Aldabra Islands in the Indian Ocean between Kenya and the northern tip of Madagascar. Their status is considered vulnerable (CITES App. II) and they suffer from predation by feral animals brought to the islands by man. More

The Aldabra tortoise has two main varieties of shell. Specimens living in habitats with food available primarily on the ground have a more dome-shaped shell with front extending downward over the neck. More

The Aldabra Tortoise is one of the largest tortoises in the world. They are an endangered species and are not commonly kept as private pets, although the Aldabra Tortoise is a common tortoise in zoos and wildlife preserves. More

History of the Aldabra tortoises in Changuu Island Aldabra Giant Tortoises are endemic Aldabra Atoll, in the Seychelles, and they do not grow in the wild anywhere else in the world. More

Aldabra tortoises have a predominately vegetation-based diet although they will supplement this intake with carrion (2) (7). More

Common names

Aldabra giant tortoise in English - English
aldabra tortoise in English - English
Aldabrasköldpadda in Swedish - Svenska
Geochelone gigantea in Italian - Italiano
Geochelone gigantea in Spanish - español
Kura-kura Aldabra in Malay - bahasa Melayu
Tortue géante in French - français
Tortue géante d'aldabra in French - français
Tortuga gigante de aldabra in Spanish - español
Želva obrovská in Czech - česky
Гигантская черепаха in Russian - русский язык
Черепаха гигантская слоновая in Russian - русский язык
アルダブラゾウガメ in Japanese - 日本語