Seychelles Giant Tortoise Conservation

Jonathan, one of the world’s oldest living land animals, trends globally after death rumours on St. Helena. The event highlights the longevity and conservation significance of the Aldabra giant tortoise.

Aldabra Giant Tortoise:

Dimension	Key Details
Scientific Name	Is known as Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa.
Family	Belongs to the family Testudinidae.
Common Name	Is known as the Seychelles giant tortoise or Seychelles domed giant tortoise.
Habitat	Applies to grasslands, scrub forests, and coastal dunes.
Distribution	Is native to the Seychelles with the largest surviving population on the Aldabra Atoll and is introduced to other islands for conservation.
Size	Provides for males weighing up to 250 kg and females around 150–160 kg.
Physical Features	Provides for a broad brownish-grey carapace flattened on the back with raised scutes.
Morphology	Comprises dome-shaped shell, strong limbs, herbivorous nature, and slow movement with long lifespan.
Reproduction	Provides for females laying 9–25 eggs with vulnerable hatchlings.
Adaptation	Provides for survival in arid island ecosystems with limited vegetation and water due to slow metabolism.
Diet	Comprises grasses, leaves, fruits, and woody plant stems.
IUCN Status	Is classified as Vulnerable.
CITES Status	Is listed under Appendix II.
Threats	Comprises habitat loss, illegal hunting, and climate change.