The Galapagos Tortoise is the largest living species of tortoise, they can weigh up to 700
pounds and are around 4 feet in length. They can be easily identified by their signature bony
shell of dull brown or grey colour. They have dry and scaly skin with claws on their front legs.
They also herbivores that eat Cacti, grasses, leaves, berries, melons and oranges. Growing
tortoises can eat upto 16.7% of their body weight in dry matter per day. Impressively, their
digestive efficiency is equal to that of a horse or a rhino.
Unfortunately, their numbers have been declining rapidly with a population size of only 3000
in 1970, a number which has dipped significantly in the last 50 years. They were exploited
for meat and oil and were cleared of their habitat to make room for agriculture. Not only that, but they are also the victim to invasive species such as some breeds of dogs and cats which can prey on young tortoises. Ongoing conservation efforts have resulted in thousands of captive-bred tortoises being released onto their home islands, and the total number of the species is estimated to have exceeded 19,000 at the start of the year 2000. Despite this
rebound, all surviving species are classified as "threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
A rather notable story related to the Galapagos Tortoise is that of Diego’s. Diego was a
Galapagos Tortoise who was captured by wildlife conservationists in 1960 to help save his
species. He and 14 accomplices helped save his species by helping to birth over 2000 giant
tortoises over the next 2 decades. He is credited for saving his species at a time of
emergency when fewer than 1500 Galapagos Tortoises were left. It is a reminder of how
close we were to losing this majestic species and that we should work doubly hard to make
sure it doesn’t come to that point ever again.
Article by Amrit Srivastava and art by Naisha Dahiya
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