Animal Facts
Although not great swimmers, they are capable of floating and can be carried by ocean currents. In one remarkable case, an adult tortoise came ashore on the east coast of Africa after being carried from its island home in the Indian Ocean. Based on the amount of barnacle growth on its shell, it was determined to have been out at sea for several months.
Aldabra tortoises are the second-largest tortoise species in the world and can reach shell lengths of 48 inches or more and weigh in excess of 500 lbs. Males are considerably larger than females.
Aldabra tortoises are extremely long-lived, and commonly live well over 100 years. Currently, the oldest living individual of this species is over 190 years old.
Range
Restricted to several small islands and atolls in the Seychelles Islands in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa.
Lives at Audubon Zoo
