Archive for 'Testudinidae'

Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata)

Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata)

This is a terribly lonely tortoise. It was removed from its homeland of Madagascar decades ago to this island (Bird Island) when the island was a coconut and papaya plantation, likely as a pet. Without a female companion it has not had the opportunity to reproduce and as such helped a critically endangered species hold […]

Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea)

Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea)

This giant tortoise species is named after one of the largest atolls in the world, Aldabra, which is also its last stronghold after centuries of human exploitation. The Aldabra atoll is part of the Seychelles archipelago, but is far very south (more 1100 km southwest of Mahe) and difficult to get to for those very […]