The Largest Tortoise Ever Recorded In Captivity Was A Great, Lumbering Reptile

With a minimum of 49 known living species, the term "tortoise" can cast a relatively wide net in terms of size, region, and habitat. One rises above them all when talking sheer mass: the Galápagos giant tortoise. Thought to have migrated to the area from South America 2 to 3 million years prior, these often sociable reptiles have played an important part in history. Their discovery in 1835 changed science theory, with Charles Darwin inspired by the diversity of the tortoise while writing his theory of natural selection. Unfortunately, human interaction also led to a sharp decline in their population still felt today.

Far removed in scale from the pet turtle species people keep, one remarkable Galápagos giant tortoise (chelonoidis nigra) secured a spot in the "Guinness Book of World Records" for size. Heavier than a 2022 Harley Road King and many professional grand pianos, the aptly-named Goliath is an impressive example of how hunkering these reptiles can become. Just imagine how much a land turtle would have to eat at that size!

Goliath boasted an impressive set of measurements at the time of his death in November 2002. The Galápagos giant tortoise measured 4 feet, 5 inches long, 3 feet, 4 inches wide, and 2 feet, 3 inches high, with a weight of 920 pounds. For comparison, you would have to buy 209 2-liter soda bottles at 4.4 pounds each to come close to matching the weight of Goliath.

While Goliath experienced exceptional growth, the Galápagos giant tortoise has earned a reputation for its bulky size, with the species commonly reaching as much as 550 pounds. Additionally, while Goliath's death at age 41 or 42 may seem like a notable feat, the Galápagos giant tortoise can live around 100 years in the wild. The Australia Zoo served as the home of one remarkable tortoise, Harriet, who was believed to be 175 years old at the time of her death in 2006.

Twelve extant species of giant tortoises live in the Galápagos Islands, many of which have an endangered designation. The final Pinta giant tortoise, the aptly-named Lonesome George, died in 2012, reflecting a sad reality about the region's dwindling population of such reptiles. Continued conservation efforts remain essential if those interested in turtles and tortoises want to see more remarkable specimens like the hulking Goliath.