Galápagos Tortoise

Hello! I’m a Galápagos Tortoise. I live on sunny islands, primarily in grasslands and rocky, volcanic outcroppings. I carry my house on my back! My shell is super strong and designed with honeycomb structures that make it lighter and easier to carry. It's a bit bumpy and very sturdy, but it's the perfect home for me.

My favorite thing to do is take a slow, slow walk to find yummy snacks. I'm never in a hurry! I love to munch on juicy green cactus—it’s my favorite treat. After my meal, I find a warm, sunny spot to rest. The sun feels so nice on my shell. Sometimes, if it gets too hot, I'll find a cool, muddy puddle to wallow in. Splish, splosh!

Even though I move slowly, I have a very important job. When I walk around and eat plants, I help spread their seeds all over the island. This helps new plants grow tall and strong for all my animal friends to eat. Being a giant tortoise is a big responsibility, and I am happy to help keep my island beautiful and green.