Aldabra Giant Tortoise

Geochelone gigantea

The Aldabra giant tortoise (Geochelone gigantea), also widely listed as Aldabrachelys gigantea, is a massive island tortoise native to Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles. It has a high domed shell, heavy columnar legs, a long neck for browsing, and a slow, grazing lifestyle shaped by dry scrub, open grass, mangrove edges, and seasonal water. Adults can weigh several hundred pounds and may live for many decades, with some individuals surpassing a century. On Aldabra, herds browse vegetation, open pathways, spread seeds, and help shape the atoll's plant communities through steady feeding and movement.

Outside its native range, the Aldabra giant tortoise is mainly kept by zoos, conservation institutions, and a small number of specialized private facilities with serious space and climate control. Enclosures need strong fencing, shade, wallows or soaking areas, safe basking sites, and year-round protection from cold. Diets emphasize grasses, browse, leafy greens, and controlled supplements rather than sugary fruit. Keepers monitor shell wear, limb strain, hydration, parasites, and social pressure around food or breeding. Because these tortoises are long-lived and difficult to move, transfers, breeding decisions, and estate planning matter as much as daily care.