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Galapagos TortoiseThis is Leslie, sitting next to a Galapagos Tortoise, in the highlands, on the island of Santa Cruz in the Galapagos.These gentle giants can be over 5 feet, from nose to tail (measured over the shell). The smallest adult might weigh 50 pounds; the largest, about 600 pounds! Leslie visited during a dry month (Feb.) so the tortoises had moved up the slope of the volcano to find food. They like to eat nice leafy greens. They will also eat fruit and flowers if they can find such treats. A Galapagos tortoise can live beyond 100 years, maybe even more than 200 years! No one is quite certain how long they live, as no researcher has outlived a Galapagos tortoise, so it’s hard to know. There was one tortoise that lived to be 152 years old. Baby Galapagos tortoises hatch from eggs and are able to feed and take care of themselves as soon as they are born. |
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IguanasHow many marine iguanas do you see? These iguanas are enjoying a mid-day nap, all together under a bit of driftwood. They are tired because they have been diving into the ocean, getting some nice algae (seaweed) to eat. A marine iguana can stay under water for an hour - imagine holding your breath that long. |
Galapagos HawkThis hawk was as curious about Leslie standing near-by as Leslie was about it. These beautiful birds have no natural enemies so they fear no one. The Galapagos Hawk likes to dine on lizards, smallish iguanas, some grasshoppers and an occasional seabird. |  |
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Push-me, Pull-me Iguanas |
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