Aldabra Giant Tortoise

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During his visit to Seychelles, the Prime Minister met and fed Jonathan, an Aldabra giant tortoise estimated to be around 194 years old. Guinness World Records recognises Jonathan as the world’s oldest living land animal.

About Aldabra Giant Tortoise

The Aldabra giant tortoise is the second-largest species of land tortoise in the world after the Galápagos giant tortoise. Its scientific name is Geochelone gigantea.

Habitat and Distribution

The species is endemic to the Aldabra Atoll of Seychelles, located in the western Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar. It occupies diverse habitats, including scrub forests, mangrove swamps, coastal dunes and beaches.

Large populations occur on grasslands known as “platins.” Their intensive grazing creates a distinctive grassland ecosystem called “tortoise turf.”

Key Features

Aldabra giant tortoises can grow to over 120 cm and weigh more than 250 kg. Males are larger than females and possess longer and thicker tails.

They have a highly domed, thick carapace, a relatively small head and long necks that help them reach vegetation. Their legs are short and robust, often covered with bony scales.

Longevity

The species is among the longest-living vertebrates. Many individuals live for more than 100 years, while some are believed to survive beyond 150 years.

Conservation Status

The Aldabra giant tortoise is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List.