Galápagos Tortoises

Galápagos tortoises are large, slow-moving reptiles native to the Galápagos Islands, a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. They are known for their impressive size, with some individuals weighing over 500 pounds. These tortoises can live for over a century, making them one of the longest-living animals on Earth. They play a crucial role in their ecosystem by grazing on vegetation, which helps maintain balance in their habitat. The tortoises gained fame thanks to Charles Darwin, who studied them during his voyage in the 1830s, contributing to his theory of evolution through natural selection.