Aldabra Tortoise

Range:
Total wild restricted to the Aldabra Atoll (a small group of coral islands in the Indian Ocean).

Habitat:
Semi-arid grasslands, scrub, mangrove swamp, and coastal dune

Size:
Males: Carapace (shell) Length: average 4 ft; Weight: ~650 lbs
Females: Carapace Length: average 3 ft; Weight: ~350 lbs

Young:
Females lay 9-25 eggs, of which half are fertile.

Incubation:
3-7 months.

Diet (wild):
Opportunistic: mainly fruits and vegetables, and some small invertebrates.

Diet (zoo):
Spinach, romaine lettuce, carrots (sparingly), celery and green peppers and bermuda hay

Lifespan (wild):
Believed to surpass 100 years.

Lifespan (captivity):
Believed to surpass 100 years.

Status:
Vulnerable, CITES II

Threats:
Habitat destruction, over harvesting, introduction of predators and competitors

Anatomy/Physiology:
It has a large, thick, domed shell that is dark gray to black in color. It has very thick, elephant-like legs that are covered in bony scales. It has a small pointed head that is covered in bony scales as well. There is a flap-like ridge over the snout to prevent flooding of its nose.

Social/Family units:
Solitary

Habits:
Generally solitary, will gather to feed.

Communication:
Males make a deep throated sound.

Defensive/Aggressive behavior:
Pulls part way into its shell when threatened.

Predators:
Humans, rats, cats, pigs

Locomotion:
Quadrupedal, slow moving

Activity:
Diurnal

Interesting story/facts:
Aldabra tortoises are the remnants of a larger population of tortoises in the Indian Ocean. There were 18 different species which, because of hunting by sailors and the predation upon eggs and hatchlings by introduced species such as rats, cats, pigs, were all made extinct with the exception of the Aldabra.