by: amber newcomb and denise kennon. o also known as geochelone nigra o located in the galapagos...
TRANSCRIPT
By: Amber Newcomb and Denise Kennon
*GALAPAGOS TURTLE
*Origins and
Scientific name
oAlso known as Geochelone NigraoLocated in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador
*Habitat
Habitat varies from Island to Island
Could be small and dry lowlands
Also humid highlandsDo not swim well, but are
buoyant and float
Diet
*Leaves, grass, cactus, all included in meals
*Has slow metabolism, allowing long periods of time with no food or water
Animal Specifications
*Can mature up to 6ft and 700lbs
*Does not nest in a particular spot, but often sleeps half-submerged in mud or water
*Prefers warm climate, either arid or moist
*Neither predator or prey, but will defend oneself if attacked
*Typical Lifestyles
Mating and
Reproduction• Reaches reproductive
maturity at 20-25 years old
• Mating season December-August
• Takes 3-8 months to hatch• Reproduce yearly
Egg laying takes approximately 5 hours, with 9 eggs laid per 15 minutes.
*Pack Animal or Not?
*At times, turtles can be seen together
*Most of the time, they live a solitary life
*Can be classified as solitary
*Random Facts
*Various small birds fly around turtle and eat insects that bother turtles
*Offspring only 0.1lbs when hatched
*Dubbed “Ecosystem Engineers” of Galapagos Islands
*Cactus is the food of choice
*Estimated 10,000 left
*Many in wild, some in captivity
How Did it Become?
*Introduced mammals attack
*Eggs hunted by predators including Galapagos Hawks
*Poaching
*Habitat destruction
*Wildfires
*Also vulnerable characteristics including: Large size and slow growth rate
*Endangered!
Current Population
*Conservation Efforts
*Selective breeding programs
*Listed as protected species by Ecuadorian government
*Galapagos national park created 1959
*Most efforts a success
*Population has stabilized and even begun to increase
*Quick Quiz!
*How large is the current population?
*What is the turtle’s favorite food?
*Where does the turtle originate from?
*What is a cause of endangerment?
*What is the age of maturity?
* Works Cited
*"Galapagos Tortoise Fact Sheet." Galapagos Tortoise Fact Sheet. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.
*"Galapagos Travel Guide | Galapagos Islands - Ecuador Travel Deals | Restaurants - Nightclubs - Bars - Tours - Map - Weather - Destinations."Galapagos Travel Guide | Galapagos Islands - Ecuador Travel Deals | Restaurants - Nightclubs - Bars - Tours - Map - Weather - Destinations. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.
*"Galapagos Tortoises, Galapagos Tortoise Pictures, Galapagos Tortoise Facts - National Geographic." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2014.
*"Giant Galapagos Tortoise Eating Cactus at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Puerto Ayora. Santa Cruz. Galapagos: Galagos: Arctic & Antarctic Photographs, Pictures & Images from Bryan & Cherry Alexander Photography." Giant Galapagos Tortoise Eating Cactus at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Puerto Ayora. Santa Cruz. Galapagos: Galagos: Arctic & Antarctic Photographs, Pictures & Images from Bryan & Cherry Alexander Photography. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.
*"Meeting Galápagos Tortoises." Meeting Galápagos Tortoises. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.
*"Slow and Steady: 10-year Effort Breeds Rare Baby." Daily Liberal. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.