The Biggest Tortoise In the World

Location: Galapagos Islands
Species: Galapagos giant tortoises
Added: 2025-12-6
Published: 2017-10-17
Source: Discovery UK

The Galapagos giant tortoises are the largest tortoises on earth. They can only be found on the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean off the west coast of Ecuador.
Males can weigh more than 500 pounds (227 kilograms), and females average about 250 pounds (113 kilograms). They have a top speed of 300 metres per hour. Galápagos tortoises are herbivores, eating a diet of prickly pear cactus and cactus fruits, as well as flowers, leaves, and grass-es. They are able to go without eating or drinking for up to a Year.
Galapagos tortoises can live for over 100 years, possibly up to 200 years.