Endêmica das Ilhas Seychelles, um arquipélago no Oceano Índico a leste da costa africana, a tartaruga-gigante-de-seychelles (Aldabrachelys gigantea) é um réptil capaz de atingir tamanhos impressionantes. Os machos pesam entre 200 e 250 kg em média, enquanto as fêmeas, que são menores, pesam entre 121 e 159 kg. Os cascos foscos, formados por placas de queratina projetadas, apresentam uma coloração cinza-amarronzada, e a pele é escamosa e cinzenta.
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.