Tortoises are a collection of terrestrial reptiles that range from plains to woods and include species such as the Greek and Galapagos tortoises. Some species developed huge body proportions with shell lengths surpassing one metre, while others are only 6-8 centimetres long. Despite naturalists' keen interest since Darwin's time, the development of gigantism in turtles remains a mystery.
According to new study, giant tortoises may not be as large as originally thought due to their island lifestyle. The development of giant tortoises may not have been connected to islands as previously believed. Researchers from Argentina and Germany have given the most complete family tree of extinct and living tortoises to date in a first-of-its-kind study. Giant tortoises are now only located on a few exotic islands, most notably the Galápagos Islands, Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles, and Mauritius. Some can develop to be 1.3m tall and weigh up to 300kg. The Galápagos giant tortoise has 14 recognised varieties, with one more yet to be identified. Thirteen of these species are still living today, while the Pinta Island turtle became extinct in 2012 due to habitat loss.
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