By: Amber Newcomb and Denise Kennon

*GALAPAGOS TURTLE

*Origins and

Scientific name

oAlso known as Geochelone NigraoLocated in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador

*Habitat

Habitat varies from Island to Island

Could be small and dry lowlands

Also humid highlandsDo not swim well, but are

buoyant and float

Diet

*Leaves, grass, cactus, all included in meals

*Has slow metabolism, allowing long periods of time with no food or water

Animal Specifications

*Can mature up to 6ft and 700lbs

*Does not nest in a particular spot, but often sleeps half-submerged in mud or water

*Prefers warm climate, either arid or moist

*Neither predator or prey, but will defend oneself if attacked

*Typical Lifestyles

Mating and

Reproduction• Reaches reproductive

maturity at 20-25 years old

• Mating season December-August

• Takes 3-8 months to hatch• Reproduce yearly

Egg laying takes approximately 5 hours, with 9 eggs laid per 15 minutes.

*Pack Animal or Not?

*At times, turtles can be seen together

*Most of the time, they live a solitary life

*Can be classified as solitary

*Random Facts

*Various small birds fly around turtle and eat insects that bother turtles

*Offspring only 0.1lbs when hatched

*Dubbed “Ecosystem Engineers” of Galapagos Islands

*Cactus is the food of choice

*Estimated 10,000 left

*Many in wild, some in captivity

How Did it Become?

*Introduced mammals attack

*Eggs hunted by predators including Galapagos Hawks

*Poaching

*Habitat destruction

*Wildfires

*Also vulnerable characteristics including: Large size and slow growth rate

*Endangered!

Current Population

*Conservation Efforts

*Selective breeding programs

*Listed as protected species by Ecuadorian government

*Galapagos national park created 1959

*Most efforts a success

*Population has stabilized and even begun to increase

*Quick Quiz!

*How large is the current population?

*What is the turtle’s favorite food?

*Where does the turtle originate from?

*What is a cause of endangerment?

*What is the age of maturity?

* Works Cited

*"Galapagos Tortoise Fact Sheet." Galapagos Tortoise Fact Sheet. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.

*"Galapagos Travel Guide | Galapagos Islands - Ecuador Travel Deals | Restaurants - Nightclubs - Bars - Tours - Map - Weather - Destinations."Galapagos Travel Guide | Galapagos Islands - Ecuador Travel Deals | Restaurants - Nightclubs - Bars - Tours - Map - Weather - Destinations. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.

*"Galapagos Tortoises, Galapagos Tortoise Pictures, Galapagos Tortoise Facts - National Geographic." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2014.

*"Giant Galapagos Tortoise Eating Cactus at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Puerto Ayora. Santa Cruz. Galapagos: Galagos: Arctic & Antarctic Photographs, Pictures & Images from Bryan & Cherry Alexander Photography." Giant Galapagos Tortoise Eating Cactus at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Puerto Ayora. Santa Cruz. Galapagos: Galagos: Arctic & Antarctic Photographs, Pictures & Images from Bryan & Cherry Alexander Photography. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.

*"Meeting Galápagos Tortoises." Meeting Galápagos Tortoises. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.

*"Slow and Steady: 10-year Effort Breeds Rare Baby." Daily Liberal. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.