Galapagos Giant Tortoise (Geochelone elephantophus vandenburghi)<br /> Alcedo Volcano crater floor, Isabela Island<br /> GALAPAGOS ISLANDS<br /> ECUADOR.  South America<br /> One of 11 sub-species survising in the islands. This is an example of the dome-shaped sub-species. Alcedo hosts over half the 15,000 tortoises left in Galapagos. All tortoises were heavy hunted for food in the past. Dome-shaped males are double the size of the females. Males stay mainly in the highlands while females migrate towards the coast when they need to lay eggs.
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