Tortoises

ALDABRA GIANT TORTOISE (Aldabrachelys Gigantea):

This is the last surviving giant tortoise species of those that once inhabited several of the islands of the Indian Ocean. It is one of the largest species of giant tortoises, with the carapace reaching around 120 cm in length, and averaging around 250 kg in weight. 

Giant tortoises are among the longest lived animals, and some Aldabra tortoises have lived to over one hundred years of age. All of the tortoises in the reserve were born in captivity.

Aldabra giant tortoises Facts :

•  Giant tortoise eggs are about the size of a tennis ball and are buried in moist sand or loose soil. At hatching, the babies are about 3 inches long.
•  It takes a giant tortoise about 20 years to reach breeding size.
•  Aldabra tortoises are strict vegetarians, feeding on various grasses and cacti. They are fond of fruits and most vegetables.
• They lack teeth, but their jaws are lined with horny sharp ridges, which come together like a pair of pinking shears. Some types of turtles and tortoises will bite defensively, but these gentle creatures almost never will. However, if a person should misjudge while offering them food, a large tortoise could easily remove a finger.
• Male tortoises are generally much larger than females of the same species.
• Because these are tortoises, they do not need to be in water. In fact, they don't even need to drink water for great lengths of times – Most of the water they need is found in their food.