Giant Tortoise on the Move Galapagos Islands

by Joan Carroll

Title

Giant Tortoise on the Move Galapagos Islands

Artist

Joan Carroll

Medium

Photograph - Photography And Digital Art

Description

This giant tortoise was on a mission and woe to the human who got in his way! Most of the tortoises that we saw at El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve on the island of Santa Cruz seemed content to sit in the grass or at the mud hole. But this one decided to make a trip to the mud hole from about 50 yards away. When I first saw him on the move, I thought I’d try to get an ‘action’ shot and so positioned myself a short distance down the path. But one puny human is no match for a quarter- to half-ton tortoise. He was not to be deterred in his single-minded determination so it was I who had to jump out of the way as he approached. A trip to the Galapagos Islands would not be complete without seeing these Galapagos giant tortoises. And giant they are, with some weighing up to 919 lbs. With lifespans in the wild of over 100 years, they are one of the longest-lived vertebrates. Captive Galapagos tortoises can live up to 177 years. The Galápagos tortoises are native to seven of the Galápagos Islands. Shell size and shape vary between populations. On islands with humid highlands, the tortoises are larger, with domed shells and short necks; on islands with dry lowlands, the tortoises are smaller, with "saddleback" shells and long necks. Overexploitation, destruction of habitat, and introduction of non-native animals to the islands caused a drastic decline in tortoises from about a quarter million in the 1600’s to only about 3000 in the 1970s. Conservation efforts beginning in the 20th century have increased the numbers to approximately 19,000 but they are still considered threatened today.

Thank you for visiting my art galleries. If you love armchair traveling, feel free to indulge yourself in my many galleries! See more like this one in my Galapagos and Ecuador Gallery: https://joan-carroll.pixels.com/collections/galapagos+and+ecuador

Or, if you are looking for a unique gift, you are sure to find it here! Art works are available in many styles and sizes. There are gifts for the home such as throw pillows/covers, tapestries, duvet covers, shower curtains, fleece blankets, and beach and bath towels. One-of-a-kind personal and fashion items include tote bags, phone cases, portable battery chargers, t-shirts and sweatshirts, mugs, yoga mats, and spiral notebooks. Can’t decide on a present? Make your favorite person happy with a gift certificate of art on my website! Just stop at https://joan-carroll.pixels.com/giftcertificates.html and have immediate delivery to your emailbox!

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FEATURED PHOTO, Your Story of ARt group, 1/30/22

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FEATURED PHOTO, Fine Art Exploration Photography group, 1/29/22

FEATURED PHOTO, Fine Art America Professionals group, 1/29/22

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January 28th, 2022

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