Giant land tortoises on different Galapagos islands have different shell shapes and neck lengths, apparently a response to their different diets. Where food is sparser and at a greater height, there is a competitive advantage to saddleback shells and longer necks. In contrast to the usual theme of island species getting smaller, this guy is a pretty good size.
I chose the “pond turtle” (posted earlier this week) and this land tortoise as if they went together, but after posting I began to wonder whether that was true. Some poking about suggests that they are related – fellow chelonians.
Did you check with him that this was his good side ?? ☺
Nicely done, got down to his level and looked him in the eye !
Jim R – Thanks! Getting back up was a little trickier.
That’s one big turtle! Those kinds of creatures are amazing to me. There is a CBC TV series that started this week called “David Attenborough’s Great Barrier Reef.” I missed it, but sure would love to see the series. If it’s anything like his “Planet Earth” series it’s a must-see.
Tom – While on our trip to the Galapagos, we saw Attenborough’s show on the same – very impressive. Having visited The Reef briefly, I’ll make a point of tracking down that one, too. Professional photography is fabulous.