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[[Image:Tortoise.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Santa Cruz giant tortoise]]The larger Galápagos Islands are home to different types of giant tortoise.  These were previously in great abundance numbering in the 100,000s, but with no native predators they had no natural defence mechanisms other than their hard shell. They became an easy food source for passing sailors who took them in great numbers to provide fresh meat during their journey. Owing to their smaller size the females were usually taken first as they were easier to handle.  A full-grown male tortoise can weigh up to 500 lbs.

[[Image:Tortoise.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Santa Cruz giant tortoise]]The larger Galápagos Islands are home to different types of giant tortoise.  These were previously in great abundance numbering in the 100,000s, but with no native predators they had no natural defence mechanisms other than their hard shell. They became an easy food source for passing sailors who took them in great numbers to provide fresh meat during their journey. Owing to their smaller size the females were usually taken first as they were easier to handle.  A full-grown male tortoise can weigh up to 500 lbs.

There were originally 15 different sub-species of tortoise, each found on a different island.  The number of sub-species alive today is 11, the others having been rendered extinct by the combined actions of man and his imported animals<ref>Pigs, goats cows and horse ate the sparse vegetation on which the tortoises depended and crushed their eggs.</ref>. For the sub-species from Isla Pinta only one male specimen (thought to be 170 years old) survives.  This is the famous "Lonesome George", who for over 30 years has refused to engage in a breeding program to try and maintain the sub-species.  However, captive breeding of the other endangered sub-species has brought them back from the brink of extinction.<ref>[http://www.galapagosonline.com/nathistory/wildlife/animals/tortoise.htm]</ref>

There were originally 15 different sub-species of tortoise, each found on a different island.  The number of sub-species alive today is 11, the others having been rendered extinct by the combined actions of man and his imported animals<ref>Pigs, goats cows and horse ate the sparse vegetation on which the tortoises depended and crushed their eggs.</ref>. For the sub-species from Isla Pinta only one male specimen (thought to be 170 years old) died on 24 july 2012.  This is the famous "Lonesome George", who for over 30 years has been unable to engage in a breeding program to try and maintain the sub-species.  However, captive breeding of the other endangered sub-species has brought them back from the brink of extinction.<ref>[http://www.galapagosonline.com/nathistory/wildlife/animals/tortoise.htm]</ref>