Chelonoidis Collection

Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra porteri) feeding on grass, Santa Cruz Highlands, Galapagos

Lord Lionel Walter Rothschild (1868-1937)
Lord Rothschild, founder of the Natural History Museum at Tring, riding on the back of a giant tortoise

C. M. Harris tending 29 live Galapagos Tortoises, 1898
The Tortoises were collected on the Webster-Harris expedition & were en-route to Walter Rothschilds collection. Probably photographed in Hyde Park, Massachusetts

Floreana giant tortoise hybrid descendant (Chelonoidis elephantopus), Fausto Llerena Giant Trotoise Breeding Centre, Galapagos National park Directorate, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos

Alcedo giant tortoises (Chelonoidis vandenburghi) group resting in water to keep cool, Alcedo Volcano, Isabela Island, Galapagos

Western Santa Cruz giant tortoise (Chelonoidis porteri) portrait, Highlands, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos

Wolf giant tortoise (Chelonoidis becki) group drinking from small puddles formed by fine drizzle. Wolf Volcano, Isabela Island, Galapagos

Wolf giant tortoise (Chelonoidis becki) portrait. Wolf Volcano, Isabela Island, Galapagos

Wolf giant tortoise (Chelonoidis becki) in habitat. Hybrids of mixed parentage with different shell shapes are scattered far and wide on the rugged west slope of Wolf Volcano

White-cheeked pintails (Anas bahamensis) with Western Santa Cruz tortoise (Chelonoidis porteri) at pond, Santa Cruz, Galapagos

Galapagos dove (Zenadia galapagensis) on head of Galapagos giant tortoise, (Chelonoidis darwini) Santiago Highlands, Galapagos

Espanola saddelback tortoise (Chelonoidis hoodensis) pair mating, Espanola Island, Galapagos

Galapagos giant tortoise (Geochelone nigra porteri), Cerro El Chato, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands

Floreana giant tortoise hybrid descendants (Chelonoidis elephantopus) feeding on flower. These are descendants of the extinct Floreana giant tortoise, but are hybridised with other species

Western Santa Cruz giant tortoise (Chelonoidis porteri) portrait, Highlands, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos

Alcedo giant tortoises (Chelonoidis vandenburghi) group resting in water to keep cool, Alcedo Volcano, Isabela Island, Galapagos

Yellow footed tortoise (Chelonoidis denticulata) portrait, Yasuni National Park, Orellana, Ecuador. Vulnerable species

Galapagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra) portrait, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Endangered

Red-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria) portrait, Pantanal wetlands, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Santa Cruz giant-tortoise (Chelonoidis porteri) covered in mud, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos National Park, Galapagos Isalnds. Critically endangered

Group of Santa Cruz giant-tortoises (Chelonoidis porteri) wallowing in mud, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos National Park, Galapagos Islands. Critically endangered

Fernandina giant-tortoise (Chelonoidis phantasticus) head portrait, Fernandina Island, Galapagos National Park, Galapagos Islands. Critically endangered

Detail of hind toes of Alcedo giant tortoise (Chelonoidis vandenburghi), Alcedo Volcano, Isabela Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Darwin's Small ground finch (Geospiza fuliginosa) cleaning Alcedo giant tortoise (Chelonoidis vandenburghi) of ticks, Alcedo Volcano, Isabela Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Old male Espanola giant Galapagos tortoise (Chelonoidis hoodensis) stretching its neck in clearing, Las Tunas, Espanola Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Galapagos giant tortoise. Genovesa Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Date: 27-07-2021

Sierra Negra giant tortoise (Chelonoidis guntheri) walking, Isabela Island, Galapagos, South America

Brazilian giant tortoise, Chelonoidis denticulatus
Yellow-footed tortoise or Brazilian giant tortoise, Chelonoidis denticulatus Testudo tabulata Testuginne intarsiata. Vulnerable

Starfish or sea star, Asterias rubens. Stella di mare. Handcoloured copperplate stipple engraving from Antoine Laurent de Jussieus Dizionario delle Scienze Naturali, Dictionary of Natural Science

Yellow-footed tortoise, Chelonoidis denticulata
Yellow-footed tortoise or Brazilian giant tortoise, Chelonoidis denticulata (tabular tortoise, Testudo tabulata). Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Blakembre after an illustration by George Shaw

Shell of the yellow-footed tortoise, Chelonoidis denticulata
Yellow-footed tortoise or Brazilian giant tortoise, Chelonoidis denticulata (denticulated tortoise, Testudo denticulata). Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Beale after an illustration by George

European pond turtle and yellow tortoise
European pond turtle 1, 2, Emys orbicularis (near threatened), and yellow tortoise 3, Chelonoidis denticulata. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Jean Baptiste Guyard after an illustration by

Green sea turtle, loggerhead turtle, soft-shelled
Green sea turtle, Chelonia mydas 1 (endangered), loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta 2 (endangered), Nile soft-shelled turtle, Trionyx triunguis 3, yellow-footed tortoise

Alcedo giant tortoise (Chelonoidis vandenburghi), Alcedo Volcano, Isabela Island. This is where the largest extant population exists

Espanola giant tortoise (Chelonoidis hoodensis), in grasses, Santa Fe Island, Galapagos

Alcedo giant tortoises (Chelonoidis vandenburghi) and volcanic landscape with fumeroles, Alcedo Volcano, Isabela Island, Galapagos

Epanola saddelback tortoise (Chelonoidis hoodensis), with Galapagos mockingbird (Mimus parvulus) perched on carapace, Espnola Island, Galapagos

Alcedo Galapagos tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra vandenburghi) group wallowing in mud, Alcedo Volcan, Isabela Island, Galapagos

Alcedo giant tortoise (Chelonoidis vandenburghi), group bathing. Alcedo Volcano, Isabela Island, Galapagos. 2017

Alcedo giant tortoise (Chelonoidis vandenburghi) group resting in pool, Alcedo Volcano, Isabela Island, Galapagos

Floreana giant tortoise hybrid descendants (Chelonoidis elephantopus) feeding on flower. These are descendants of the extinct Floreana giant tortoise, but are hybridised with other species

Alcedo giant tortoise (Chelonoidis vandenburghi) silhouetted at sunrise, Alcedo Volcano, Isabela Island, Galapagos

Alcedo giant tortoise (Chelonoidis vandenburghi) group resting in water at night, Alcedo Volcano, Isabela Island, Galapagos

Western Santa Cruz / Indefatigable Island giant tortoise (Chelonoidis porteri) feeding, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Critically endangered

Galapagos tortoise hybrid (Chelonoidis complex) portrait, Floreana Island, Galapagos

Alcedo Galapagos tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra vandenburghi) walking, Alcedo Volcan, Isabela Island, Galapagos

Galapagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis niger) crossing a dirt road in the forest; Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

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"Discover the Majestic World of Chelonoidis: Guardians of Galapagos" In the enchanting Santa Cruz Highlands, a Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra porteri) gracefully grazes on lush green grass. These magnificent creatures, known as chelonoidis, are an integral part of the unique ecosystem found in the Galapagos Islands. Their story intertwines with that of Lord Lionel Walter Rothschild, a passionate naturalist who dedicated his life to studying and preserving these remarkable tortoises. In 1898, C. M. Harris tenderly cared for 29 live Galapagos Tortoises under Rothschild's guidance, showcasing their resilience and captivating nature. The iconic portrait captures a Galapagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra), its ancient eyes reflecting wisdom acquired over centuries spent roaming Santa Cruz Island. Sadly, this species is endangered today due to various threats posed by human activities. Venturing into Brazil's Pantanal wetlands brings us face-to-face with another member of the chelonoidis family - the vibrant Red-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria). Its striking portrait showcases its beauty amidst this rich habitat in Mato Grosso do Sul. A descendant from Floreana Island's giant tortoises hybridizes within Chelonoidis elephantopus – a testament to their adaptability and evolution across generations. Their existence reminds us of nature's incredible ability to persist against all odds. Witnessing Alcedo giant tortoises (Chelonoidis vandenburghi) resting together in water reveals their ingenious way of keeping cool amidst scorching temperatures. This behavior highlights their resourcefulness and adaptation skills honed over millennia. Returning to Santa Cruz Island unveils yet another stunning portrayal - that of Western Santa Cruz giant tortoise (Chelonoidis porteri). Its dignified presence echoes through the Highlands, a testament to their resilience and importance in this fragile ecosystem.