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August 11: Due to network maintenance, online ticket purchases may be unavailable from 5-8pm.
All Animals

Galápagos Tortoise

The Galápagos tortoise is one of the longest-lived animals in the world, and the oldest recorded individual lived to be 152! Houston Zoo works with organizations in the Galápagos to help save these precious animals.

Stable
Threatened
Endangered

Animal Facts

Scientific Name

Chelonoidis porteri

Range

Dry grassy and rocky areas on the Galápagos Islands

Location in the Zoo

Galápagos Islands

Cool Animal Fact

Galápagos tortoises are the largest species of tortoise in the world. While males average 500 pounds and females average 250 pounds, the largest confirmed male weighed over 900 pounds!

How we Help Save Them

  • The Zoo provides salaries, support, and equipment for people protecting tortoises and other wildlife in Galapagos. They fit wild Galapagos tortoises with satellite tracking devices and collect movement data. This information will be used to design future protection plans for wild tortoises.
  • The Zoo provides support for teenagers from the Galapagos to protect sea turtles and giant tortoises. They create programs to monitor sea turtle nests and prevent tortoises and local wildlife from being hit by cars.
  • The Zoo provides support for Galapagos teenagers to remove invasive plants (plants that are not supposed to be in an area) from the Galapagos Islands, helping to protect wildlife that depend on native/local plants for food.

Galápagos Tortoises Animal Encounter

Take the perfect tortoise selfie when you’re up close with some of the Zoo’s longest-living residents, the Galápagos tortoises. During this experience, you’ll have the opportunity to meet our Galapagos tortoises and learn all about these special residents while feeding them their favorite treats.

Pro tip: Feet are friends, not food. Our tortoises might confuse red shoes for treats, so it’s best to leave your red shoes at home for this one (yes, we’re serious). Closed-toe shoes are required.

Note: These experiences are available April – October.

$65 Member/$90 Non-member (per person)

Reserve Tickets

Member Portal

Encounter Details

  • All day Zoo admission included for you to explore the Zoo before and after your Animal Encounter.
  • This encounter is for ages five years and older. If you have someone under the age of 13, an adult will need to be registered with them.
  • This encounter is limited to just four people per encounter. If you have fewer than four in your party, you may be joined by other registrants, not to exceed the four persons total.
  • For the safety and well-being of our animal residents, there is no flash photography allowed in this area. Don’t worry though, we have a special photo moment opportunity planned for you during your encounter that you can share with friends and family.

Accessibility:

  • Walking and standing for 20 – 30 minutes
  • Unpaved surfaces including loose dirt and gravel
  • Bending, kneeling and/or crouching for short periods of time

We are a Zoo for All; if you have an accommodation request, please contact us at education@houstonzoo.org or at 713-533-6739 

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