1. By: Amber Newcomb and Denise Kennon

2. o Also known as Geochelone Nigra o Located in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador

3.  Habitat varies from Island to Island  Could be small and dry lowlands  Also humid highlands  Do not swim well, but are buoyant and float

4. * Leaves, grass, cactus, all included in meals * Has slow metabolism, allowing long periods of time with no food or water * Can mature up to 6ft and 700lbs * Does not nest in a particular spot, but often sleeps half- submerged in mud or water * Prefers warm climate, either arid or moist * Neither predator or prey, but will defend oneself if attacked

5. Mating and Reproduction Reaches reproductive maturity at 20-25 years old Mating season December- August Takes 3-8 months to hatch Reproduce yearly Egg laying takes approximately 5 hours, with 9 eggs laid per 15 minutes.

6. * At times, turtles can be seen together * Most of the time, they live a solitary life * Can be classified as solitary

7. * Various small birds fly around turtle and eat insects that bother turtles * Offspring only 0.1lbs when hatched * Dubbed “Ecosystem Engineers” of Galapagos Islands * Cactus is the food of choice

8. * Estimated 10,000 left * Many in wild, some in captivity * Introduced mammals attack * Eggs hunted by predators including Galapagos Hawks * Poaching * Habitat destruction * Wildfires * Also vulnerable characteristics including: Large size and slow growth rate

9. * Selective breeding programs * Listed as protected species by Ecuadorian government * Galapagos national park created 1959 * Most efforts a success * Population has stabilized and even begun to increase

10. * How large is the current population? * What is the turtle’s favorite food? * Where does the turtle originate from? * What is a cause of endangerment? * What is the age of maturity?

11. * Works Cited * "Galapagos Tortoise Fact Sheet." Galapagos Tortoise Fact Sheet. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014. * "Galapagos Travel Guide | Galapagos Islands - Ecuador Travel Deals | Restaurants - Nightclubs - Bars - Tours - Map - Weather - Destinations."Galapagos Travel Guide | Galapagos Islands - Ecuador Travel Deals | Restaurants - Nightclubs - Bars - Tours - Map - Weather - Destinations. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014. * "Galapagos Tortoises, Galapagos Tortoise Pictures, Galapagos Tortoise Facts - National Geographic." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2014. * "Giant Galapagos Tortoise Eating Cactus at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Puerto Ayora. Santa Cruz. Galapagos: Galagos: Arctic & Antarctic Photographs, Pictures & Images from Bryan & Cherry Alexander Photography." Giant Galapagos Tortoise Eating Cactus at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Puerto Ayora. Santa Cruz. Galapagos: Galagos: Arctic & Antarctic Photographs, Pictures & Images from Bryan & Cherry Alexander Photography. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014. * "Meeting Galápagos Tortoises." Meeting Galápagos Tortoises. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014. * "Slow and Steady: 10-year Effort Breeds Rare Baby." Daily Liberal. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.