Some tortoises are raised in captivity. Here’s how it works:
1
In the wild, mother tortoises lay their eggs in holes. They cover them with sand. When scientists find the eggs, they bring them to a center.
2
Each egg is labeled and weighed. Each is kept in a box. The eggs hatch in 120 days.
3
A hatchling breaks free from its egg.
4
For two years, tortoises live in pens. That keeps them safe.
5
When they are five years old, they are released.
Keeping the Peace
People and tortoises can live together. The people of the Galápagos know this. They value the treasure they have in the giant tortoises. They are trying many ways to protect them.
A baby tortoise crawls across a leaf.
PROTECT THE NATURAL WORLD
One of National Geographic’s goals is to help protect Earth’s wild places. How did the stories make you feel about the Galápagos Islands? Do you think it is important to protect them?
