Aldabra Giant Tortoise Facts
Aldabrachelys gigantea
Aldabra giant tortoises are massive, long-lived reptiles native to the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles. By grazing plants and dispersing seeds, they shape the open island habitats where they live.
- Habitat
- Grassland
- Diet
- Grasses, leaves, woody stems, and fallen fruit
- Lifespan
- 100–150 years
Aldabra Giant Tortoise Facts at a Glance
Aldabra giant tortoises are massive, long-lived reptiles native to the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles. By grazing plants and dispersing seeds, they shape the open island habitats where they live.
It belongs to the family Testudinidae in the order Testudines. This profile is designed as a concise starting point; source links below support further reading.
Aldabra Giant Tortoise Habitat
Aldabra Giant Tortoises live in Grassland and Coastal and Scrub habitats across Seychelles. Their range depends on places that provide suitable food, shelter, and conditions for raising young.
What Do Aldabra Giant Tortoises Eat?
Aldabra Giant Tortoises are herbivore animals. Their diet includes Grasses, leaves, woody stems, and fallen fruit, and the food available in their habitat shapes how they find, hunt, or forage for meals.
Aldabra Giant Tortoise Lifespan, Size, and Weight
An aldabra giant tortoise typically lives for 100–150 years. Adults measure about 90–120 cm and weigh around 150–250 kg; these ranges can vary with sex, age, habitat, and access to food.
Aldabra Giant Tortoise Conservation Status
Aldabra Giant Tortoise is listed here as Vulnerable. Protecting habitat, maintaining healthy prey or food sources, and reducing human pressure are important parts of conserving wild populations.
Quick facts
- Region
- Seychelles
- Habitat
- Grassland, Coastal, Scrub
- Diet
- Herbivore
- Lifespan
- 100–150 years
- Size
- 90–120 cm
- Weight
- 150–250 kg
Fun facts
- They are among the largest tortoises and the longest-lived vertebrates on Earth.
- Long necks help them browse leaves well above ground level.
- Groups sometimes gather in shallow pools or shade during the hottest part of the day.
- Seeds carried through their digestive systems can be dispersed across the landscape.
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Sources and image credit
Animal facts are reviewed against the references below. The photograph remains available under its linked license.
