giant tortoise

(Animals) any of various very large tortoises of the genus Testudo, of the Galápagos, Seychelles, and certain other islands, weighing up to 225 kilograms (495 lbs.)

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

gi′ant tor′toise

any of several large tortoises of the genus Geochelone, of the Galápagos Islands and islands near Madagascar.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

giant tortoise - very large tortoises of the Galapagos and Seychelles islands

tortoise - usually herbivorous land turtles having clawed elephant-like limbs; worldwide in arid area except Australia and Antarctica

genus Testudo, Testudo - type genus of the Testudinidae

genus Geochelone, Geochelone - giant tortoises

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References in periodicals archive

I'm here to check out some of the best places to stay but also to track down the longest-living creatures on earth: the indigenous Aldabra giant tortoise, which can live for more than 200 years.

SHE SELLS SEYCHELLES; Laura Ivill on how to get the best out of this tropical paradise

[USA], Apr 19 (ANI): Climate change is a factor that might affect the Galapagos or giant tortoise's ability to migrate at the right time, reveals a study.

Climate change may affect giant tortoise's ability to migrate

The visitor centre on Santa Cruz is also the resting place of Lonesome George, the sexually ineffectual Pinta Island giant tortoise, whose death in 2012 marked the extinction of his sub-species.

Trouble in paradise? THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS' RARE WILDLIFE MAKES IT A HIT WITH TOURISTS, BUT THEIR IMPACT COULD DAMAGE ITS UNIQUE ECOSYSTEM. SARAH MARSHALL LOOKS AT HOW THE ISLANDS ARE TACKLING THE THREAT

A giant tortoise at the Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Center Drive carefully: A marine iguana crosses the road Boobies resting on rock at Isabela Island

CONSERVATIONISTS in the Galapagos Islands have found a giant tortoise from a species thought to have become extinct more than a century ago.

Giant tortoise thought extinct is found on Galapagos

The adult female tortoise was found on the island of Fernandina in the west of the Pacific archipelago and is believed to be a Fernandina Giant Tortoise, also known as Chelonoidis phantasticus, a species last sighted in 1906.

Giant tortoise thought extinct is found on Galapagos

A giant tortoise believed extinct for over 100 years has been discovered on the Galapagos island of Fernandina, Ecuador's environment minister said late on Tuesday.

Giant tortoise believed extinct for 100 years found in Galapagos

What shines is the intricate puppetry - from a giant tortoise to a pretty school of darting fishes.

Theatre; Inside Out; Quick guide to turning your free time into fun time

The star attraction at the event was the giant tortoise that wandered around a fenced area outside the museum to the delight of the assembled children.

Creeping crawlies

A rare giant tortoise in the Galapagos Islands has saved his entire species by fathering 800 offspring.

Scary spider legs it to Dumbarton

Summary: Giant tortoise taken as pet by British family in Al Reef Villas evokes dread and awe among children

'Mummy, do you think fatoush can eat us up?'