giant tortoises

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Thanks to NASA, a 'Spine- Tingling Moment' in Galapagos

Space agency's satellites helped chart path to release 150+ giant tortoises on Floreana Island

(Newser) - For the first time since the 1800s, giant tortoises are walking free again on Floreana Island, and NASA had a hand in getting them there. Using satellite data to map vegetation, rainfall, temperature, and terrain, scientists pinpointed the spots most likely to offer the animals food, water, and nesting sites,...

Giant Tortoise Presumed Extinct for a Century Is Very Much Alive

Fernanda is first fantastic giant tortoise seen in Galapagos since 1906, and only the 2nd ever

(Newser) - A Galapagos giant tortoise species observed only once more than a century ago on a remote volcanic island and thought to have gone extinct as a result of volcanic eruptions has turned up very much alive. A female "fantastic giant tortoise," which the Guardian reports is "significantly...

New Giant Tortoise Species Discovered in Galapagos
Giant Tortoise Species
Is 'New to Science'
NEW STUDY
Mar 14, 2022 12:35 PM CDT

Giant Tortoise Species Is 'New to Science'

It was mistakenly believed to be a now-extinct Galapagos species, researchers say

(Newser) - Researchers believe they have discovered a new species of giant tortoise in the Galapagos Islands, which is news they'd be happier about if it didn't also mean that another species has apparently gone extinct. Scientists who analyzed genetic material from museum samples discovered that samples brought back from...

Tortoises Are a Little More Carnivorous Than We Thought

Wild video shows giant tortoise hunting, eating baby bird

(Newser) - Giant tortoises were long believed to be herbivores, but a newly released video features graphic evidence that's not true. The tortoises, who live only in the Seychelles and the Galápagos Islands, apparently even hunt, say the researchers who recorded one such animal in the Seychelles stalking, attacking, and...

They Saved Their Species. Their Reward: Homecoming

Sex-crazed Diego among 15 giant tortoises returned to native island

(Newser) - Mission accomplished for a group of 15 male giant tortoises credited with saving their species from extinction. The tortoises—part of a breeding program that began in the 1960s when there were just two males and 12 females left in the wild, per CNN —were returned to their home...

Tortoise Not Seen in 110 Years Found on Galapagos Island

'There may be hope' for critically endangered species

(Newser) - A living member of a species of tortoise not seen in more than 110 years and feared to be extinct has been found in a remote part of the Galapagos island of Fernandina, the AP reports. An adult female Chelonoidis phantasticus, also known as the Fernandina Giant Tortoise, was spotted...

Galapagos Tortoise's Savior Is a Dirty, Dirty Old Man
The Savior of the
Galapagos Tortoise
 Is a Dirty, Dirty Old Man
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Sep 18, 2016 10:40 AM CDT

The Savior of the Galapagos Tortoise Is a Dirty, Dirty Old Man

Meet Diego, the centenarian father of, like, 800

(Newser) - The most tireless and passionate proponent of saving the Galapagos tortoise from extinction is ancient, lecherous, and not particularly attractive, but those attributes are apparently a big hit with the ladies. Gentle reader, meet Diego, the lusty 100-plus-year-old tortoise who has helped bring his kind back from the brink of...

Lonesome George Dead at 100
 Lonesome George 
 Dead at 100 
Obituary
Jun 25, 2012 2:39 AM CDT

Lonesome George Dead at 100

George thought to be last Pinta Island giant tortoise

(Newser) - The Galapagos giant tortoise nicknamed Lonesome George, the last of the giant Pinta Island tortoise subspecies, has died, reports CBS News . He was believed to be about 100 years old, relatively young for a species that can live up to 200 years. Scientists had tried to get George to mate...

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