Because they metabolize fat stored in their tissues, tortoises can survive long periods without food or water and thus became a convenient source of fresh meat for those early explorers, who caught them on land and stored live turtles in ship holds for up to a year. For instance, the saddle-backed types have especially long necks and limbs and a raised carapace. This helps them reach the taller vegetation typically found on the lower, drier islands where the saddle-backs roam. The carapace, which is hard and bony shell, also serves as special protection for the slow-moving turtle. When threatened, the tortoise can simply withdraw its neck and legs into the carapace and resemble a rock.
Giant tortoises live rather peaceful, trouble-free lives.
They like to bask in the hot sun during the day, and then cool themselves under a shady tree if no finer mud wallow or pool is nearby. Their diet consists of a healthy vegetarian mix of over 50 different plant species. Besides being slow movers, turtles are definitely slow digesters.