Gigantic tortoise [1] , or Seychelles giant tortoise [1] , or giant tortoise [2] ( lat. Aldabrachelys gigantea ) [3] [4] - a species of land turtles. Endemic to Aldabra Island, a rare species. Some giant turtles survived in captivity until 150 years. The age of the oldest representative of the species, who died in 2006, Advaita turtles , is estimated at 150-250 years.
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| Aldabrachelys gigantea Schweigger , 1812 | ||||||||||||||
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International Red Book IUCN 3.1 Vulnerable : 9010 |
Content
- 1 Description
- 1.1 Appearance
- 1.2 Distribution and habitat
- 1.3 Nutrition
- 1.4 Reproduction
- 2 Giant tortoise and man
- 3 Gallery
- 4 notes
- 5 Literature
Description
Appearance
A very large tortoise with powerful columnar legs and a relatively small head. The length of the carapace is rarely up to 120 cm, but usually no more than 105. One of the two largest species of terrestrial turtles.
On the island of Aldabra, individuals from various populations differ in the size and shape of the shell. Some experts consider these populations as subspecies .
Distribution and habitat
Nowadays, the natural range of the giant tortoise is limited to the small island of Aldabra in the group of Seychelles . There are several introduced colonies on other islands: Seychelles, Reunion , Mauritius , Nosy Be Island near Madagascar and others. The number of turtles on the island of Aldabra is estimated at about 150,000 individuals.
They live in open areas with grass, shrubbery and individual trees, in mangrove swamps .
Nutrition
The main food in nature is dwarf island vegetation.
Reproduction
Mating takes place from February to May, and egg laying - from June to September. In this species, the presence of behavioral mechanisms for controlling the population size was noted. At a high population density, the female lays only 4-5 eggs every few years. And at low density, up to 14 eggs are laid several times a year.
Giant Tortoise and Man
In the mid-1960s, they planned to deploy a large air base on Aldabar, which would nullify the number of turtles. The project was rejected.
Serious food competitors to Seychelles turtles are goats brought to the island and run wild there. In addition to food competition, the “herbivorous” goats turned out to be active hunters for turtles, whose shell they smash with hooves and devour their meat. According to unconfirmed statements by local authorities, goats are being shot. [5]
In 1975, a natural reserve of 19,000 hectares was created on Aldabar, where all economic activities are prohibited. Atoll operates a research station for the study of turtles.
Gallery
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 Ananyeva N. B. , Borkin L. Ya. , Darevsky I.S. , Orlov N.L. Amphibians and reptiles. Latin, Russian, English, German, French. / edited by Acad. V. E. Sokolova . - M .: Rus. Yaz., 1988 .-- S. 153. - 10,500 copies. - ISBN 5-200-00232-X .
- ↑ Darevsky I.S. , Orlov N.L. Rare and endangered animals. Amphibians and reptiles: Ref. allowance / ed. V. E. Sokolova . - M .: Higher school, 1988. - S. 150. - 463 p., [16] p. silt - 100,000 copies. - ISBN 5-06-001429-0 .
- ↑ The Reptile Database: Aldabrachelys gigantea
- ↑ Synonyms: Testudo dussumieri , Testudo elephantina , Testudo gigantea , Geochelone gigantea , Geochelone dussumieri , Dipsochelys elephantina .
- ↑ Data for 1988 .
Literature
- Darevsky I.S. , Orlov N.L. Rare and endangered animals. Amphibians and reptiles: Ref. allowance / ed. V. E. Sokolova . - M .: Higher School, 1988. - S. 150-151. - 463 p., [16] p. silt - 100,000 copies. - ISBN 5-06-001429-0 .