Alligator Farm Breeds Giant Galapagos Tortoises In Captivity -- Very Rare Event
Mar 13, 2022 09:39:24 #
The Alligator Farm has two males and three females. Five years ago in 2017 they hatched out 16 "Tortoise Tots". When first hatched they were less than three inches across. They farmed 14 out to other zoos and have kept two of the Tots. Now five years later these have already become sizable Tots.
A typical mature male weighs over 400 lbs. Dirk, their primary male is 111 years old.
Females are smaller and weigh about 250 lbs.
A typical mature male weighs over 400 lbs. Dirk, their primary male is 111 years old.
Females are smaller and weigh about 250 lbs.
1. Large Male Tortoise
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2. Big stretch to get that heavy shell up over the beam
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3. Tortoise Tot sitting at attention
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4. Pair of Tortoise Tots
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5. Female Tortoise
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6. Female Tortoise eating
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7. Female Tortoise Eating
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Mar 13, 2022 09:40:42 #
Mar 13, 2022 09:46:53 #
Mar 13, 2022 09:52:30 #
Mar 13, 2022 10:01:08 #
Mar 13, 2022 10:44:12 #
Great series and neat photos. I appreciate you presenting it to us.
Dennis
Dennis
Mar 13, 2022 11:38:24 #
Mar 13, 2022 12:29:39 #
Mar 13, 2022 13:00:44 #
Hereford wrote:
The Alligator Farm has two males and three females. Five years ago in 2017 they hatched out 16 "Tortoise Tots". When first hatched they were less than three inches across. They farmed 14 out to other zoos and have kept two of the Tots. Now five years later these have already become sizable Tots.
A typical mature male weighs over 400 lbs. Dirk, their primary male is 111 years old.
Females are smaller and weigh about 250 lbs.
A typical mature male weighs over 400 lbs. Dirk, their primary male is 111 years old.
Females are smaller and weigh about 250 lbs.
Beautiful shots and specimens
🎖️🎖️🌠🎖️🎖️
Mar 13, 2022 17:25:05 #
Interesting - these tortoises can be huge, I do remember an occurrence in the very early 80's in the Seychelles, where our then 6 year old almost stepped on one of these, thinking it was a rock - they weren't from the Galapagos but definitely huge creatures. Great shots Hereford!
Mar 13, 2022 17:35:55 #
Wow! Very COOL! Do they return any to the Galapagos? Where is The Alligator Farm?
Mar 13, 2022 22:32:34 #
Retired CPO wrote:
Wow! Very COOL! Do they return any to the Galapagos? Where is The Alligator Farm?
The Alligator Farm is in St Augustine, FL. I never think to mention that because I go there so often and post so many photos from there. I purchase their annual "Photographers Pass" where one can go anytime as often you like. It offers photographers entry an hour before the park opens to catch the earlier morning light and avoid the crowds during the nesting season which normally runs from late February through the end of July.
I never asked where they sent the 14 Tots, so don't know if any went to the Galapagos Islands. I know the Islands have a number of special breeding programs, and they are very concerned about genetic diversity. A few years back the Islands borrowed a male from the San Diego zoo that became the most prolific captive breeder ever -- siring some 800 offspring that sort of tilted the gene pool. Captive breeding of any kind is extremely rare. The Alligator farm just had this one successful mating. Don't know if there might be another in the future.
Mar 13, 2022 22:45:24 #
Hereford wrote:
The Alligator Farm is in St Augustine, FL. I neve... (show quote)
OK. Thanks. I'll have to check that out!
Mar 14, 2022 05:35:03 #
Mar 14, 2022 07:06:07 #
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