[Geochelone gigantea]
Habitat: Grasslands, low scrub, mangrove swamps, and coastal dunes
Length: Male (47") Female (35")
Weight: Male (550 lbs) Female (350 lbs)
Max Lifespan: 100+ years
Incubation Period: 3.5 - 7 months

- The Aldabra Tortoise lives on the Aldabra Atoll, an island north of Madagascar on the coast of Kenya.
- The neck of the Aldabra Giant Tortoise is very long, even for its great size, which helps the animal to exploit tree branches up to three feet from the ground as a food source.
- Their vigorous search for food fells trees and creates pathways used by other animals.
- They dig underground burrows or rest in swamps to keep cool during the heat of the day.
- Aldabra Giant Tortoises reach sexual maturity when they attain about half their final size. It seems that reaching sexual maturity is determined by size, not by age.