Aldabra Giant Tortoise

Distribution: Islands of the Aldabra

Size Length : Male: 122cm; Female: 98 cm

Life Span: 150 years

Diet: Herbivorous

Social life: Solitary or herds

IUCN red list status: Vulnerable



This tortoise is one of the bigger terrestrial turtles in the world. Endemic to the islands of Aldabra and the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean, populations of the Aldabra giant tortoise have also been introduced to Mauritius, Reunion. Aldabra giant tortoises have created a habitat known as tortoise turf. Tortoise turf is a combination of a variety of grasses and herbs and serves as the natural habitat for several smaller species. Aldabra giant tortoises engage in various activities including mating attempts, stretching, walking, feeding, sleeping, and defecation during these times.

The Aldabra giant tortoise is one of only three giant tortoises in the area to survive today, as a result of this past exploitation and habitat loss, and the only one to survive in the wild, with the others surviving only in a captive breeding programmes.