Geochelone gigantia

Location in the Zoo: The Islands

Aldabra tortoises are relocated to warmer behind-the-scenes areas in the off season and are not visible to the public in cold weather.

The Aldabra tortoise is one of the largest tortoises, second only to the Galapagos tortoise. In their quest for nutritious vegetation, these large grazers knock over plants, shrubs, and even small trees, clearing pathways for other animals to use.

Aldabra tortoises breed from February to May. The female tortoise will carry the eggs for ten weeks before finding a place for a nest, digging a hole up to ten inches deep. Eggs are the size of tennis balls, and a clutch can be from four to 25 eggs. After laying her clutch in the well-hidden nest, the female leaves the eggs to incubate for an average of four months. In low-density population areas, a female tortoise may lay more eggs and nest twice in one season. Many of the laid eggs (sometimes up to half) may be infertile.

The Aldabra is the only remaining species of giant tortoises once found on Madagascar and the Seychelles Islands. One of the first species to be protected for the purpose of ensuring their species survival, Charles Darwin and other notable conservationists created a captive breeding population on the island of Mauritius, and the Seychelles government began protection of the Aldabra Atoll.