Ancient giant tortoise happily munches in epic slow motion

The giant tortoises of the Galapagos Islands are among the oldest living animals on earth. When we think of ancient creatures, this gentle giant is usually what comes to mind. But surprisingly, there are more than ten species of animals that outlive the estimated 200 year lifespan of a giant tortoise. Among them are jellyfish, sponges corals, clams, and even a few species of whale. The giant tortoise may hold the record as the longest living land animal.

This giant tortoise lives on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos. He roams freely and munches happily on almost any vegetation that he finds. Slow moving, these animals do not have much hope of evading or outrunning any predator. They are not capable of fighting off any animal determined enough to attack it. Their defence is their heavy armour and their ability to outwait any threat. They are able to retreat into their shell and pull their legs in tight. The heavy scales and thick skin are almost impenetrable.

Weighing as much as 400kg (880lbs) when full grown, few animals could overturn them or get at their vulnerable areas. The tortoise can wait in its shell until the predator grows tired and leaves. In fact, almost any carnivore would die of starvation long before the tortoise needed to come out of its shell. They can last as long as one year without food or water.

The longevity of the tortoise is another reason that they are still on the planet. Living over 200 years allows them to last through many breeding seasons, with the females laying thousands of eggs in their lifetime. Unfortunately, the eggs and the small tortoises are not safe from predators such as rats, dogs, and birds.

This tortoise may be old enough to have been alive when Charles Darwin made his historic voyage on the HMS Beagle from 1831 to 1836, bringing him to these islands where he found the data and inspiration for his theories of evolution.

The giant tortoises of the Galapagos Islands are beautiful and fascinating. A trip to the islands would not be complete without spending some time watching these great beasts in their natural habitat.