Area of zoo
Giants of Galapagos
Enclosure status
Open
Population in the wild
17,000
IUCN status
Endangered
Scientific name
Chelonoidis niger
Order
Testudines
Type
Reptiles
Family
Testudinidae
Region
South America
Habitat
Grasslands and deserts

Galapagos tortoise facts

The largest living tortoise, these reptiles were once so ubiquitous that Spanish explorers names the Galapagos islands after them – Galapagos meant tortoise in old Spanish. They can survive without food or water for over a year, able to store large quantities of liquid when a water source is found. Although they are land dwelling they spend a lot of their time bathing in shallow pools.

These colossal reptiles hatch from eggs the size of a Ping-Pong ball. Although most assume it is the shell of the tortoise that makes them so heavy, it is in fact relatively light with vast fat stores making up the bulk of their weight. There were once over 250,000 Galapagos tortoises across the islands, but today there are just 17,000. 

Galapagos tortoise  eating peppers and carrots from a zookeeper
Polly the Galapagos tortoise at London Zoo

Galapagos tortoise lifespan

Galapagos tortoises can live up to 177 years old, meaning Galapagos tortoises some alive today would have around since before the American civil war. 

What do Galapagos tortoises eat? 

A range of vegetation including grasses, cactus and leaves. They have been known to eat unusual foods that are dangerous to humans such as fruits from the manzanillo tree. On occasion, in a bid for extra protein, these herbivores have been documented eating small birds.

Galapagos tortoise threats

Introduced species such as feral dogs, cats and rats prey on young tortoises before they have a chance to fully develop their protective shell. Wild grazing animals such as pigs and goats also strip areas of vegetation making nests more vulnerable.

Get closer to nature

  • Komodo dragon at London Zoo
    Varanus komodoensis

    Komodo dragon

    The largest and heaviest reptile in the world, which can eat up to 80% of its body weight in just one feeding.

  • King cobra
    The ultimate reptile collection

    Reptile House

    From king cobras to Ethiopian mountain adders and Philippine Crocodiles, we have something for every reptile lover.

  • Tiny Giants logo, with a clownfish, locust, coral and praying mantis illustration.
    From minibeasts to coral reefs

    Tiny Giants

    Journey through the habitats of the planet’s smallest but mightiest animals. From our coral reef aquarium, to our spider walk-through.

  • Philippine Crocodile at London Zoo
    Crocodylus mindorensis

    Philippine crocodile

    There are one only around 120 left in the wild, but we are working to recover Philippine crocodiles at the Zoo and in the field.

  • Anam leaf turtle at London Zoo
    Mauremys annamensis

    Annam leaf turtle

    The anam leaf turtle is one of the most endangered reptiles on earth, there are only around 50 remaining individuals in the wild. Little is known about them, and at our at our conservation Zoo we are working to better understand the species.

  • Pyxicephalus adspersus
    Pyxicephalus adspersus

    African bullfrog

    African bullfrogs have a monstrous appetite, and will eat anything that moves, from large birds, to snakes and even other bullfrogs!

  • Visit us