Contributions to the biology of the Galapago of the Archipelago de Colon (Testudo sps)

Resumen

The giant Galapagos tortoise is currently found only on the islands of the Archipelago of Colon (Galapagos), although similar species once inhabited other islands in the Indian Ocean. Each island with tortoises hosts a unique species, the result of long periods of isolation. The distribution of these tortoises does not seem to depend on the size, altitude, or vegetation of the islands, as some islands with favorable conditions lack them. The Galapagos tortoises are herbivores that feed mainly on cactus, from which they obtain much of the water they need to survive. They can store water in a special sac under their shell, allowing them to endure long periods without drinking. This ability has been utilized by local inhabitants during times of drought. The exact reason for their limited distribution to these volcanic islands remains a mystery that requires further geological and oceanographic research.