Peace, nature and giant tortoises everywhere – the giants of evolution

Anyone visiting the Galápagos Islands will sooner or later encounter their most famous inhabitants: the Galápagos giant tortoises. Depending on the island, their size and shell shape vary slightly – a detail that later became important for Charles Darwin's research.

They are probably the most famous symbol of the Galápagos Islands – stoic, calm and impressively old.

On the island of Santa Cruz, they were most easily encountered on the:

They wander leisurely through green highlands or rest peacefully by the roadside. Despite their enormous size, they appear peaceful and relaxed.

They can survive for surprisingly long periods without food and water. They store large amounts of fluid in their bodies, allowing them to endure months of drought. 💤 They spend most of the day eating or resting – up to 16 hours a day🧭 Although they appear slow, they cover several kilometers between the highlands and the coast during their seasonal migrations.

The amazing family life of the Galápagos giant tortoises, or the challenge of reproduction

During the mating season, the otherwise placid males become surprisingly active. They engage in impressive duels, stretching their long necks and trying to tower over their opponent. The larger and stronger animal usually wins the right to mate.

After mating, the females often travel several kilometers to suitable nesting sites with loose, sunny soil. These are usually many kilometers away from the moist, lush grazing grounds. Our guide tells us that there are 8 kilometers between the preferred nesting site and El Chato Ranch.

They dig a trench approximately [depth] with their hind legs. 30 to 50 centimeters deep pit and usually lay there 2 to 20 eggs Then the nest is carefully sealed with soil and camouflaged.

After that, the mother's care ends – she returns to her habitat and leaves the eggs to their fate.

The sun takes over the incubation of the eggs. After about four to eight months The young hatch. They are then immediately on their own.

At El Chato Ranch, an encounter with giant tortoises is guaranteed, but after a few days we realize that they can also be found along the roadside and in the national parks – anywhere they can find food.

Turtles have no ears and are actually deaf – but they can perceive vibrations very accurately within a radius of 30m.