Reptiles

Giant Tortoise
Geochelone elephantopus (endemic)

There are now only about 15,000 giant tortoises in the Galapagos and only 10 races (11 if you include "Lonesome George", the sole survivor from the race on Pinta Island). Originally there were over 250,000 tortoises on the islands and 14 races.

They weigh up to 250kg and have the ability to store water for a long time. It was for this reason that they were hunted by mariners, as they could be kept onboard ship and killed when the crew wanted fresh meat. The current main threats to tortoises are wild pigs who eat the tortoise eggs, and introduced goats and donkeys which are destroying the vegetation that the tortoises live off.

Land Iguana
Conolphus subcristatus and Conolophus pallidus (endemic)

These creatures grow to approximately 1 metre in length and 10kg in weight and live for between 60-70 years.

The iguanas feed on grass, centipedes, and annual plants in season but their favourite food is the pads of opuntia cactus, especially the fruits and flowers. Sometimes land iguanas feed on grasshoppers or dead birds.

Male land iguanas have an impressive dorsal crest (the female's is not so conspicuous) and the males are larger in size. They form small colonies and keep to the driest parts of the islands where they dig burrows under soil and sometimes under rocks. The females choose males, but one male may have up to 7 females. The female digs several false nests then lays her eggs in the right burrow (females do fight over nesting sites). When laying eggs, the female backs into the nest, partly sealing herself in and stays there for 24 hours. She will then lay between 6 and 20 soft shelled eggs. She leaves and closes the burrow, then defends it over the next week. Predators of eggs are beetles, hawks and herons. Snakes prey on hatchlings and the survival rate of young land iguanas in the wild is less than 10%. There is a symbiotic relationship with small ground finches, as they eat the ticks from the skin of the land iguanas.

Marine Iguana
Amblyrhynchus cristatus (endemic)

These are the only sea-going iguanas in the world. They are a sooty black colour, some with a red or green tinge. They feed mainly on seaweed and can dive up to 20 metres. Marine iguanas are ectothermic (which means that they are unable to regulate their body temperature by sweating or panting. Therefore, they rely on the sun to keep them warm during the day and cluster together to keep warm at night), and in addition they have an interesting method for getting rid of salt. Do you know what this is? Do you know the predators of these reptiles? To find out, click here.

Green Turtle
Chelonia mydas

There are 8 species of turtle in the world, 4 are found in the Galapagos, with the green turtle being the most common. These turtles grow up to 1 metre in length, weigh up to 150kg and can last up to 2 hours underwater, feeding on seaweed and eel grass. What do you think are predators of the green turtle? The female lays her eggs on land between December and June, and lays between 70 and 80 eggs - do you know what determines the sex of the hatchlings?

Snakes

There are 3 endemic snakes on the islands, growing up to about 1 metre long. They feed on lava lizards, geckos and marine iguana hatchlings.

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