Tortoises keep a characteristic scute pattern on their shell throughout life. The legs have hard scales that also provide armour when withdrawn. When threatened, it can withdraw its head, neck and all forelimbs into its shell for protection, presenting a protected shield to a would-be predator. Naturalist Charles Darwin remarked "These animals grow to an immense size … several so large that it required six or eight men to lift them from the ground." This is due to the phenomenon of island gigantism whereby in the absence of natural predation, the largest tortoises had a survival advantage and no disadvantage in fleeing or fending off predators. The bony plates of the shell are integral to the skeleton, fused with the ribs in a rigid protective structure. The tortoises have very large shells (carapace) made of bone. The tortoise normally eat an average of 70~80 pounds (32~36 kg) a day. They can also survive for over a year being forcefully deprived of all liquids, breaking down their body fat producing water as a side product. Tortoises eat a large quantity of food when it is available at the expense of incomplete digestion.īy acquiring most of their moisture from the dew and sap in vegetation (particularly the Opuntia cactus), tortoises can go for long periods without actually drinking. Fresh young grass is a favorite food of the tortoises, and others are the 'poison apple' (Hippomane mancinella) (toxic to humans), the endemic guava (Psidium galapageium), the water fern (Azolla microphylla), and the bromeliad (Tillandsia insularis). Fruits such as the apple and mango are also treats to the tortise. The tortoises are herbivorous animals with a diet comprising cactus, grasses, leaves, vines, and fruit. Raven's Galapagos Tortoise Ride at (Geochelone Gigantea)
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