Aldabra giant tortoise – Bernard

Scientific name :

Dipsochelys elephantina

Common name :

Aldabra giant tortoise

Habitat :

In the wild, this species is only found on the Aldabra Atoll; it has been wiped out by mankind everywhere else. Sailors captured them alive to keep them for meat. The Aldabra Atoll became a refuge for tortoises because boats were unable to dock there. Today, it is home to more than 100,000 tortoises and turtles.

Maximum size :

1.2 meters long

Weight :

300 kg

Lifespan :

150 years

Conservation status :

Unlisted

Reproduction :

mating can be observed every day. It’s spectacular because these giant tortoises are truly enormous. In the wild, eggs are usually laid between January and April. The female lays a small number of eggs, usually somewhere between 10 and 20.

Diet :

grass, flowers, fruit, leaves (occasionally carnivorous)

Characteristics :

the Aldabra giant tortoise is the second largest tortoise in the world. At La Ferme aux Crocodiles, during the dry season, tortoises are mainly fed on hay and dried leaves. In contrast, during the rainy season, they eat plenty of fresh vegetables, their enclosure is watered daily and their pool is filled with water. An abundance of food and water encourages mating.

Location in the Tropical Reserve :

on Tortoise Island