17 Giant Galapagos Tortoises + ME! = DREAM COME TRUE!

[spikethebest]

last weekend I went to the San Diego Zoo in southern California. it was very rainy and cold. So all the reptiles at the Zoo weren't on exhibit, however, i was able to go behind the scenes and check them out in their giant hot house!

ENJOY!!!

their watering hole outside

one of many giant galaps!

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the plastron of a male

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[Meg90]

They are stunning, just breathtaking.....but why so many? Especially in such a small area. The torts show signs of not being able to exercise (excess fat) and scrapes and cuts from being too close together (I'm sure even aldalab tempers flare occasionally.)

 

[spikethebest]

this is just their sleeping area and warming area when the weather is not good. 51 weeks of the year, the weather is great for tortoises in san diego, so the tortoises sleep outside and walk around a lot.

the excess fat is from one tort that has a tyroid problem. she is on a strict diet. and yes the males do rough each other up a bit.

 

[sammi]

Its a shame I can't be more proud of my local zoo. They do seem pretty overweight as Meg mentioned, and their living space seems WAY too tiny for so many of that size. Its very cool to see them, but its sad that they're so crammed into one tiny space. Did any of the keepers touch on that topic? I havn't been to the zoo in years..

 

[Meg90]

Do you have any pictures of their yard? I'd love to see it! I would have just died from joy at the sight of all those torts!

 

[spikethebest]

they have been begging for a new hot house for many years. finally after one of the humans got hurt, $100,000 has been funded to build a new one. construction is scheduled to start in the spring. that house was built in the 1920s.

 

[Meg90]

Sweet! You should totally document it, if you can! I'd love to see the process and finished product!

 

[spikethebest]

Do you have any pictures of their yard? I'd love to see it! I would have just died from joy at the sight of all those torts!

these are all the pictures i have on this computer. i might be able to find some more.

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Sweet! You should totally document it, if you can! I'd love to see the process and finished product!

thats a great idea!! im sure many people will benefit from learning how a zoo builds a hot house for giant tortoises!

the zoo is about 2-3 hours from my house, but i will go often as long as i am not deployed in that time.

 

[Yvonne G]

No collection of tortoise photos would be complete without the token poop shot!! And doncha just love those great big legs? Since the "house" was only for bad weather, I didn't get the sense that it was too small for them. I was impressed that they had the clear roofing panels so the sun could shine in and that they seemed to have separate stalls in case they needed to separate anyone.

 

[spikethebest]

Yvonne, you are 100% correct. great observations. it also allows for the humidity to stay in better.

 

[ChiKat]

That looks like heaven! I would love to meet all those giant torts!
Several of the pictures made me smile, looking at their facial expressions. Some of them have the cutest looks on their face!

 

[egyptiandan]

That thyroid problem is happening with a lot of CB Galaps right now and the zoos don't know why. The WC adults seem to be just fine.

Great pictures Cory.

Danny

 

[spikethebest]

Thanks Danny. which other zoos do you know of have the same thing going on?

 

[egyptiandan]

I know Brownsville zoo has this problem. Collette Adams from the Brownsville zoo did a talk at the Daytona expo on the Galaps at the zoo. She mentioned this problem and said other zoos were having this problem. She didn't mention which zoos though.

Danny

 

[spikethebest]

thanks, ill pass that info on to the San diego zoo reptile people.

 

[dmmj]

Nice pics, I noticed the one overweight aldab also. I think for being in such close quarters, * even temporary), they all looked like they got along pretty well.

 

[Josh]

great photos, cory! im jealous!

 

[gummybearpoop]

I know Brownsville zoo has this problem. Collette Adams from the Brownsville zoo did a talk at the Daytona expo on the Galaps at the zoo. She mentioned this problem and said other zoos were having this problem. She didn't mention which zoos though.

Danny

Phoenix Zoo had that problem with the CB juveniles and also some private keepers I know.

Great pics Cory!

 

[spikethebest]

great photos, cory! im jealous!

thanks Josh! see you in January!

 

[Candy]

Wow now that's a lot of tortoise in one place. Those are some great pictures. They're are huge I didn't realize that. Makes "Bob" look small. Who's the girl with the pretty hair?