About Chelonoidis niger (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)
This species has the scientific name Chelonoidis niger (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824). These tortoises have a large, dull brown or grey bony shell. The shell’s plates are fused to the ribs, forming a rigid protective structure that is an integrated part of the skeleton. Lichens can grow on the shells of these slow-moving animals. Tortoises retain a characteristic scute (shell segment) pattern on their shells for their entire lives. Annual growth bands on the shell cannot be used to determine the tortoise’s age, because outer shell layers wear away over time. A tortoise can withdraw its head, neck, and forelimbs into its shell for protection. Their legs are large and stumpy, covered in dry, scaly skin with hard scales. Their front legs have five claws each, while their back legs have four claws each.
