AnAge entry for Geochelone nigra

Classification (HAGRID: 04187)

Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia
    Phylum: Chordata
        Class: Reptilia (Taxon entry)
            Order: Testudines (Taxon entry)
                Family: Testudinidae
                    Genus: Geochelone
Species: Geochelone nigra
Common name: Galapagos tortoise
Synonyms: Geochelone elephantopus

Maximum longevity: 177 years (captivity)
Source: ref. 451
Sample size: Medium
Data quality: Acceptable
Observations: Galapagos tortoises are long-lived and may feature negligible senescence. They appear to take around 20 years to become sexually mature and can grow for several decades. There are many records of animals living over 60-70 years in captivity. In 1928, Charles Townsend of the New York Zoological Society imported several animals, many of which are still alive in North American zoos [0451]. Anecdotal evidence suggests these animals may live over 100 years, including one record of 177 years [0543], which seems plausible. "Harriet," a specimen allegedly collected from the Galapagos Islands by Charles Darwin, was estimated to be about 176 years old when she died in 2006 at the Australia Zoo in Queensland.

No information on metabolism is available.