Originally published at: https://boingboing.net/2020/07/08/diego-and-other-giant-tortoise.html
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According to QI, all attempts to ship live Galapagos tortoises to Europe in the 19th century failed because it turned out the tortoises were too scrumptious for crews to resist eating them on the long crossing.
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Actually they were extremely convenient sources of fresh meat in long voyages – turn them upside down, don’t feed them for months, and they stay immobile and alive.
Darwin reported that it was hard to pitch a tent in the Galapagos, insofar as the ground was riddled with tortoise egg clutches.
We have no idea how long these animals can live. 250? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_(tortoise) lived to ~175.
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