In 2004, this giant Aldabra tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea) seems to have survived an ocean voyage from Atoll island of Aldabra to the east coast of Africa. That’s more than 740 km! The barnacles size suggests its trip took 6-7 weeks!
Despite the tortoise size, the trans-oceanic dispersal is supposed to be the mechanism where tortoises, and many other animals settle on islands around the world. This is the first direct evidence of a tortoise surviving a oceanic trip.
– Another record of a giant Aldabra tortoise off Alphonse Island, The Seychelles, December 2005. Photograph by J. Gerlach
Researchers believe that after torrential winds and hurricanes, tortoises are transported to the sea, left to its lucky. This is the classic model of oceanic island colonization. It is ironic that the first documented trans-oceanic movement of a tortoise occurred from an island to a continent, rather than the reverse direction that is so importantto island biogeography
Just a reminder: most tortoises CANNOT swim and should not be thrown into water! Try to avoid throwing turtles into water, as well. If you aren’t sure whether or not something can swim, put it next to the water and let it decide. Most tortoises will drown if you put them in deep water that they can’t wade out of in time.
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