10 of the Biggest Tortoises in the World
Galápagos Tortoise A Galapagos Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis niger) walking into some mossy water in Galapagos, Ecuador. Scientific Name: Chelonoidis niger / Chelonoidis Average Adult Length: 31 to 53 inches (80 to 135 cm) Average Adult Mass: 408 to 919 lb (185 to 417 kg) Lifespan: 100 to 177 years IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
Aldabra Giant Tortoise An Aldabra Giant Tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea) walking on grass in Seychelles, Africa. Scientific Name: Aldabrachelys gigantea / Geochelone gigantea / Dipsochelys dussumieri Average Adult Length: 31 to 53 inches (80 to 135 cm) Average Adult Mass: 352.5 lb (160 kg) Lifespan: 176 years IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
African Spurred Tortoise An African Spurred Tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata) walking through dirt in Burkina Faso. Experience Level: Beginner Scientific Name: Centrochelys sulcata / Geochelone sulcata Average Adult Length: 33 inches (83 cm) Average Adult Mass: 79 to 110 lb (36 to 50 kg) Lifespan: 54 years IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
Leopard Tortoise A Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis) sitting in green and grass in Emining, Kenya. Scientific Name: Stigmochelys pardalis / Psammobates pardalis Average Adult Length: 12 to 27.5 inches (30 to 70 cm) Average Adult Mass: 40 lb (18 kg) Lifespan: 50 to 100 years IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
Burmese Mountain Tortoise A Burmese Mountain Tortoise (Manouria emys) in green leaves in Sumatera Barat, Indonesia. Scientific Name: Manouria emys Other Names: Asian Forest Tortoise Average Adult Length: 19.5 to 23.5 inches (50 to 60 cm) Average Adult Mass: 44 to 81.50 lb (20 to 37 kg) Lifespan: 50 to 150 years IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered
Ploughshare Tortoise A Ploughshare Tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora) sitting on straw in Mauritius, Africa. Scientific Name: Astrochelys yniphora Average Adult Length: 17.5 inches (44.6 cm) Average Adult Mass: 19 to 23 lb (9 to 10 kg) IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered
Radiated Tortoise A Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata) walking on sand in Madagascar. Scientific Name: Astrochelys radiata Average Adult Length: 17.5 inches (44.6 cm) Average Adult Mass: 19 to 23 lb (9 to 10 kg) Lifespan: 188 years IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered
Bolson Tortoise A Bolson Tortoise (Gopherus flavomarginatus) on dry land in Chihuahua, Mexico. Scientific Name: Gopherus flavomarginatus Average Adult Length: 16 inches (40 cm) Average Adult Mass: 77 to 220 lb (35 to 100 kg) Lifespan: 20 to 70 years IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered
Marginated Tortoise A Marginated Tortoise (Testudo marginata) in grass somewhere in Attica, Greece. – Source Scientific Name: Testudo marginata Average Adult Length: 30 to 38 cm (12 to 15 inches) Average Adult Mass: 11 oz (5 kg) Lifespan: 100 to 140 years IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
Gopher Tortoise A Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) in grass and dirt somewhere in Florida, USA. Scientific Name: Gopherus polyphemus Average Adult Length: 9 to 15 inches (23 to 39 cm) Average Adult Mass: 194 oz (5.5 kg) Lifespan: 86 years IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable