Chelonoidis phantasticus, the sole known member of the enormous Galapagos tortoise species, was discovered 113 years apart. A lone male was discovered wandering about Fernandina Island in 1906, but that was the last scientists saw of the species until 2019 when researchers discovered a second lone ranger: a 50-year-old female dubbed Fernanda, who appeared to be queen of her own … [Read more...] about “Extinct” Giant Galapagos Tortoise Discovered Chilling Alone On Remote Volcanic Island
Tortoise
A Gigantic Tortoise Escape Causes a Two-Hour Train Delay in The United Kingdom
A gigantic tortoise caused a two-hour train delay that left passengers traveling from Norwich to Stanstead Airport perplexed and irate. Clyde, a gigantic tortoise, had vanished on Sunday from the Swallow Aquatics Center in East Harling. He appeared to have been hurt after being struck by a train when he was discovered on the railroad tracks. The train was stopped owing … [Read more...] about A Gigantic Tortoise Escape Causes a Two-Hour Train Delay in The United Kingdom
A RARE Galápagos Giant Tortoise Baby With Albinism is Born at a Swiss Zoo
A remarkable species is the Galápagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis niger). The enormous reptiles, which are native to the extraordinary environment of the Galápagos Islands, have lifespans of well over a century. These surviving artifacts can weigh more than 500 pounds and are challenging to reproduce. According to optimistic estimates, there are 10,000 to 15,000 wild tortoises … [Read more...] about A RARE Galápagos Giant Tortoise Baby With Albinism is Born at a Swiss Zoo
Diego: The Casanova of Tortoises Who Saved His Species by Fathering Over 900 Offspring
In the world of wildlife conservation, few stories are as remarkable – or as amorous – as that of Diego, the Hood Island giant tortoise from the Galápagos. Dubbed the “sex-crazed tortoise” by admirers, Diego has fathered an astonishing 900 offspring, single-handedly (or should we say, single-shelledly?) rescuing his species from the brink of extinction. Born in the 1910s … [Read more...] about Diego: The Casanova of Tortoises Who Saved His Species by Fathering Over 900 Offspring
Missing Pet Tortoise Discovered 30 Years Later in Attic – Still Alive And Well
"We were shocked!" Nathalye De Almeida grew up hearing stories from her mother about Manuela, a cherished pet turtle she had as a child in the early 1980s. The stories, on the other hand, were invariably tinged with sadness. That's because Manuela went missing in 1982, when Almeida's mother was just 8 years old. Manuela's family assumed at the time that the tortoise … [Read more...] about Missing Pet Tortoise Discovered 30 Years Later in Attic – Still Alive And Well