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Adam Cox Meet the world's largest species of Tortoise!
Date:12/06/2009
Adam is shell shocked by one of his favourite animals – The Giant Galapagos Island Tortoise
Check out the size… the enormity of this Giant Galapagos Is Tortoise!! When I crouched down next to
this animal it dwarfed me in height and bulk – amazing. This is the largest species of Giant Tortoise in the
world. Those of you who have an eye for detail may have picked up that this species originates on the
Galapagos Islands, which are found in the Pacific Ocean about 1000 km west of Ecuador in South America.
What is not to like about this big lumbering giant of a Tortoise? What makes them even more appealing is
they warm to humans and their keepers. When I was in the exhibit with this guy taking photos from a far he
plodded his way right over to me (it may have taken him 20 mins but hey he got there!). He came over
because he wanted a scratch and a rub.
It's always fun giving them a good scrub because quite often they go into almost a trance like state where
they stand up high and extend their neck. They just stay like that for minutes on end. It's funny to observe
because they turn into statues. On the islands where they live they do this to help smaller animals get to those
hard to reach places to give them a good clean. Small birds and crabs are commonly seen also so I guess you
could say this is all part of their 'grooming' regime!
Here are a few facts you can tell at your friends' parties that will sure to impress:-
1. Giant Tortoises have been known to live over 175 years of age!
2. Giant Tortoises can weigh over 300 kg – Whoa Mumma!
3. You got all the facts from TW presenter Adam Cox!
These are one of my favourite animals but what I'd like to know is what creature would you like to see in the
Wild Blog? Email me your answers at at totallywild@networkten.com.au
Till next time!
Adam
PS – Giant Tortoise's don't have any teeth; they have a serrated beak instead. A bit like Grandma Ethel. 
