The Galapagos Islands are among the most biodiverse areas on the planet.
They are home to lots of species of fauna and flora, most of which are not found anywhere else.
One of the most iconic creatures inhabiting the Galapagos is the beautiful, majestic and awe-inspiring giant tortoises found there.
Take a look at one below.
[rumble video_id=v63qav domain_id=u7nb2]
Video credit: Rumble
These tortoises can live for as long as 200 years and weigh at around 500lbs when mature.
This species was once under the threat of extinction because of hunting but thanks to conservation projects and captive breeding, their number has increased substantially.
These tortoises are believed to be an important link in the theory of evolution that was presented by Charles Darwin.
A wildlife videographer was walking through the forests of Santa Cruz Island, a part of Galapagos located in the province of Ecuador.
It consists of a number of islands, with every one of them rich in its own wildlife and species not found anywhere else. The videographer trod carefully through the shrubs, looking for a giant tortoise.
He eventually found one, laying on the grass still like a stone. It was so still that he mistook it to be dead. However, when he approached the animal, it was just enjoying a sound sleep in the shining sun.
Tortoises, unlike us, are cold-blooded animals. It means that they cannot themselves produce heat to keep their body warm and rely on the heat from the surroundings to maintain the temperature of their body and perform routine tasks like walking around and digesting food.
In the video, it moves and stretches its head out, swallows and goes back to its resting position with its eyes remaining closed throughout the whole thing. This is not something you’d watch every day.
The videographer stood still, filmed the movements of the animal and then moved away with a quiet pace, taking care not to disturb the animal.
The tortoise appearing in this video is a fully grown one. It might have been born at the time when Charles Darwin arrived in the Galapagos back in 1835.
The Galapagos have paid immense tribute to Darwin; a number of streets, research stations, and even people are named after him.
If you ever get a chance to visit the Galapagos, take time to observe these incredible beings. A visit to the Galapagos cannot be complete without that.
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