The Indianapolis Zoo recently announced that it will be adding a giant tortoise exhibit in May of 2025. Specifically, the zoo will be introducing the Galapagos giant tortoise and the Aldabra giant tortoise.
Giant tortoises are renowned for their ability to live 150 years or more and for their impressive size. The Galapagos giant tortoise and the Aldabra giant tortoise, in fact, are two of the largest tortoise species in the world. They can grow to be up to four feet long and weigh several hundred pounds. Although the Galapagos giant tortoise and the Aldabra giant tortoise look similar, the Galapagos giant tortoises have broad heads, whereas the Aldabra giant tortoises have smaller heads.
Currently, the Indianapolis Zoo is home to only a few tortoises and their closely related family members, turtles. These species include the African pancake tortoise, Burmese star tortoise, common snake-necked turtle, Egyptian tortoise, leopard tortoise, northern spider tortoise, and the radiated tortoise. Presumably, the giant tortoises introduced will live with their kin in the “Deserts” exhibit at the Indianapolis Zoo.
Interestingly enough, the Indianapolis Zoo formerly had Aldabra giant tortoises in 2009. One can only hope that this time, the zoo’s giant tortoises are here to stay.