Espèce endémique des Seychelles, un archipel de l'océan Indien situé à l'est de la côte africaine, la tortue géante des Seychelles (Aldabrachelys gigantea) est un reptile capable d'atteindre des tailles impressionnantes. Les mâles pèsent entre 200 et 250 kg en moyenne, tandis que les femelles, plus petites, ont tout de même un poids compris entre 121 et 159 kg. Leur carapace gris-brun est faite de plaques de kératine pointues et leur peau est composée d'écailles grises.
Latin Name
Aldabrachelys gigantea
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aldabra-giant-tortoise
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Animal Facts
The Aldabra giant tortoise has one of the longest lifespans of any animal in the world. The oldest ever recorded reached the age of 255.
Aldabra tortoises are so large that they carve paths through their environments which are often used by other foraging animals. They provide an important ecosystem service by doing this.
Although Aldabra giant tortoises are rarely predated upon due to their large size, their eggs and juvenile tortoises are vulnerable to predation by crabs.
The sex of a tortoise hatchling is dependent on the incubation temperature of the eggs. Warm temperatures produce more females and cool temperatures produce more males.