(Geochelone nigra)

Location: Galapagos Islands

Habitat: Lava soil area in the lowlands 

Galapagos is the Spanish word for tortoise and these are the only isolated islands where these tortoises can be found. Their diet consists of grass, leaves, cactus and some carrion. These animals can live to be 100 to 200 years old and are one of the oldest living creatures.

Local Galapagos legend states that the Galapagos tortoise was once so abundant that settlers could walk great distances without touching the ground, but with the introduction of predators such as pigs, rats, dogs and cats, this tortoise has now become endangered. These animals introduced by settlers, have reduced the hatchlings survival rate and have become competition for habitat and food supply.

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