🐢First documented case of a land tortoise hunting a bird

🐢Until now, giant tortoises (including Aldabrachelys gigantea), currently found only in the Seychelles and those in the Galapagos Islands, were thought to be herbivorous.

🐢In July 2020, scientists in the Seychelles filmed a giant tortoise devouring Anous tenuirostris hatchling. Scientists involved in the discovery say this is the first time such behavior has been captured on camera. The turtles occasionally eat the shells of snails and bones of dead birds, goats and even other terrestrial turtles to supplement their diet.

🐢Scientists note that the turtle recorded by the camera shows signs of familiarity and experience in hunting seabird hatchlings. When turtles eat leaves, grass or fruit, they extend their tongues and pull the food into their mouths. The individual in the video, by contrast, has his tongue retracted and his eyes closed - signs that he fears some danger from this food source.

🐢According to the authors, the fact that the recorded individual is female may be an important clue as to the reasons for the behavior. Island systems typically lack calcium, a key mineral for building eggshells.

Picture from: Zora, Anna et al. 2020. Giant tortoises hunt and consume birds. Current Biology, Volume 31, Issue 16, R989 - R990

👉More:
2 short videos and more information: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2021.06.088

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