Eastern santa cruz giant tortoise
A species of Galápagos giant tortoises and allies Scientific name : Chelonoidis donfaustoi Genus : Galápagos giant tortoises and allies
Eastern santa cruz giant tortoise, A species of Galápagos giant tortoises and allies
Scientific name: Chelonoidis donfaustoi
Genus: Galápagos giant tortoises and allies
Content
Description General Info
Photo By aposematic herpetologist , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
Chelonoidis donfaustoi (commonly known as the eastern Santa Cruz tortoise) is a species of Galápagos tortoise living on Santa Cruz Island, within the Galápagos. Until 2015, C. donfaustoi was classified as part of another species, Chelonoidis porteri.
General Info
Lifespan
80-100 years
Diet
Eastern santa cruz giant tortoise is primarily herbivorous, feasting chiefly on cactus pads. Incorporating significant dietary fibers, their diet embraces numerous species of grasses, lichens, and fruits, with a lean towards Arachis pintoi plant, ensuring nutrient-rich intake.
Appearance
Eastern santa cruz giant tortoise is a medium to large-sized tortoise with a heavy, dome-shaped shell and sturdy, pillar-like legs. The skin is rough, leathery, and predominantly dark brown to black, similar to the color of its shell. Adult males have a distinct saddleback shell shape and a protruding tail, differentiating them from females. The age of these tortoises can be loosely estimated by counting the growth rings on their shells.
Behavior
Eastern santa cruz giant tortoise is a solitary species known for its distinctive migratory patterns based on rainfall and vegetation availability. Primarily herbivorous, it uses its keen senses to search for plant-based food. Eastern santa cruz giant tortoise's daily activities predominantly include foraging, interspersed with sunbasking for thermoregulation. Also notable is its tendency to dig burrow-like nests for egg-laying, providing security for the younger ones against predation.
Population
Increasing
Scientific Classification
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