Where do Galápagos giant tortoises live?
Quick Answer
Galápagos giant tortoises live on several islands in the Galápagos archipelago, off Ecuador. Different island populations developed distinct shell shapes and body sizes.
The Full Story
Galápagos giant tortoises are native to the Galápagos Islands, an Ecuadorian archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. Different islands produced different populations, with some showing dome-shaped shells and others showing saddleback shells. The tortoises became famous in the history of evolution because island differences helped inspire Charles Darwin’s ideas. Conservation programs have reintroduced tortoises to some islands where they had been reduced or locally lost.
Key Facts
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