Love Under Pressure

Today, we returned to familiar ground, visiting the Giant Tortoise Reserve and the Tortoise Research Center on Santa Cruz Island. This time, we were lucky to witness two giant tortoises mating - a fascinating but slightly uncomfortable sight. The male was significantly larger than the female, and the weight difference looked almost painful for her. We learned that this size disparity can even deform the female’s shell over time due to repeated mating.

It’s always incredible to observe these ancient creatures in their natural habitat and learn about their biology. One of the most intriguing aspects of giant tortoises is how the temperature of their nests determines the sex of their hatchlings - a phenomenon known as temperature-dependent sex determination. At the Darwin Research Center, scientists use this to their advantage. Eggs incubated above 27.5°C yield female tortoises, while those incubated below 26°C produce males. This precise control helps maintain the population balance for conservation efforts.Læs mere