Hind legs are cylindrical and columnar like those of an elephant. Forelegs have anterior surface covered by thick, often bony scales. Snake-like neck and legs are retractile. Very small pointed head covered by scales. High domed gray shell.
Males are larger than females and have longer, thicker tails.
Inhabits Aldabra Island in the Indian Ocean, near the Seychelles. They live in grasslands, scrub areas and mangrove swamps. In captivity, feed on great quantities of cabbage leaves and other green stuffs. In courting, male batters his shell against a female a dozen or more times. Makes a deep, trumpeting call when mating.