The giant tortoises of the Gal pagos are very special. They begin their life as hatchlings the size of a fat cookie, but can grow to an enormous size. Some grow as large as 600 lbs and it is thought that they can live for well over a century. Some are shaped like domes and others are shaped like saddles. These varying carapace shapes were important in pointing Charles Darwin toward his theory of natural selection.
Giant tortoises can also survive for long periods without food or water.
Early visitors to the islands took advantage of this fact by capturing tortoises and stowing them aboard their ships. It is hard to see giant tortoises in the wild. For many reasons, mostly human caused, they are only found in fairly remote areas of the islands which require a good hike to reach. The sight of these huge beasts as they graze on the grasses and wallow in mud holes seems strangely prehistoric. While studying in the Gal pagos , I found no color is more surprising amongst the drab rocks than the bright blue of the blue-footed booby's feet, the booby most commonly seen by visitors.