Tortuga gigante de Galápagos (Chelonoidis nigra)

The Galápagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra) is a large, slow-moving land turtle native to the Galápagos Islands. It can live over a century, weigh up to 417 pounds, and measure more than 5 feet in length. This species plays a vital role in its ecosystem by helping with seed dispersal. Historically abundant, their numbers declined due to overhunting and habitat loss, but conservation efforts have helped some populations recover. These tortoises are important symbols of conservation success and are admired for their impressive size, longevity, and ecological significance.