Aldabra Giant Tortoise: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Turtles · day 5 of 7

Five facts

1. Adwaita, an Aldabra giant tortoise who died in 2006, was said to be about 255 years old.
2. Males weigh about 250 kg on average. A very long neck lets them reach branches up to a meter off the ground.
3. Where Aldabra tortoises graze, tortoise turf thrives: a mix of more than 20 grass and herb species that stay low.
4. Searching for food, Aldabra tortoises knock over trees and open paths that other animals use, a bit like elephants do.
5. Between July and September, a female digs a nest 30 cm deep and lays 9 to 25 hard-shelled eggs.

The quiz

1. How old was Adwaita the tortoise when he died in 2006?

• An estimated 255 years (correct)
• An estimated 25 years
• An estimated 85 years
• An estimated 550 years

Adwaita was said to be about 255 years old when he died in 2006.

2. How high can a big Aldabra tortoise reach for branches?

• 10 cm up
• Three meters up
• A meter up (correct)
• Ten meters up

Its very long neck lets it reach branches up to a meter off the ground.

3. What is the plant carpet where Aldabra tortoises graze called?

• Shell moss
• Tortoise turf (correct)
• Giant meadow
• Tortoise forest

Where the tortoise grazes, tortoise turf thrives.

4. Which animal's role is the Aldabra tortoise compared to?

• A zebra
• A hippo
• A giraffe
• An elephant (correct)

As the largest animal around, it plays a role like an elephant's.

5. How deep is an Aldabra tortoise's nest?

• 3 cm
• 10 cm
• 30 cm (correct)
• 90 cm

A female lays her eggs in a nest 30 cm deep.

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