Tortoises

The Galapagos Islands used to be covered with tortoises. Over the years though their numbers were reduced to the point where they became "endangered".

During the 1700 & 1800s pirates would catch them and bring them on their ships and keep them alive for months on end with no food or water only to use them for fresh meat when the time came.

Later certain animals like rats and cats found their way to the islands (via settlers) and they would eat the baby tortoises.

It was a huge problem that luckily was dealt with in time.

Now the tortoises are protected, as are most other animals on the islands, and they are raised in special areas and then returned to the wild when they are old enough.

We were not lucky enough to see them in the wild although some of our group were.

The shots and videos below were taken at two of the areas where they raise the tortoises.

Here's a big guy posing for the camera.

These two big guys seemed to have a problem.

They love the mud..

This is the knob who thought he knew more than our guides. Here he is instructing us in the ways of giant tortoises. It's no wonder his girlfriend stayed home.

This little guy just looks like he's plum tuckered out.

When you're in deep grass it helps to have a long neck.

They REALLY love the mud!