The Tortoise Trail: Indian Ocean
Many of the islands in the western Indian Ocean used to be populated with unique tortoise species
Written by: Kevin Gepford
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Tortoise
Galápagos: Tortoise ponds
I leave things to random. This time, I got to join Georgina Savage, a PhD student at the University of Exeter, I was happy to …
Written by: Kevin Gepford
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Fact-Checking Charles Darwin
Which of the Galápagos islands produced tortoises that were the most… delicious? Porter was something of a gourmand. Darwin witnessed the slaughter on Floreana.
Written by: Kevin Gepford
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Aldabra Atoll, Islands, Tortoise
The Tortoises of Aldabra
My tortoise travels took me on an extraordinary monthlong adventure on Aldabra atoll, one of the most remote and ecologically intact places on Earth. It’s home to the last surviving species of giant tortoises in the western Indian Ocean.
Written by: Kevin Gepford
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Galapagos Islands, Galápagos Tortoise, Tortoise, Tortoise Conservation
Galápagos Migrations
Galápagos tortoises may make annual treks of 10-15 km seeking food, water, and nesting grounds. In March I spent three weeks on Santa Cruz island with biologist Patrick Moldowan to learn more.
Written by: Kevin Gepford
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Mojave Desert, Mojave desert tortoise, Tortoise
Utah Tortoises
It’s February in St. George, Utah, snow is on the mountains, and I’m hiking in tortoise country with about 40 other tortoise nerds. We’re here for the Desert Tortoise Council symposium, and early arrivers like me are rewarded with a field trip.
Written by: Kevin Gepford
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On the Island of Saint Helena
The world’s most well-known living tortoise, Jonathan, is also one of the world’s most remote — living on a volcanic island a thousand miles off the coast of Africa.
Written by: Kevin Gepford
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Why Tortoises?
“When did you realize you that this was something that you were meant to write?” a friend asked. “Was there one thing that flipped the switch for you?”
Written by: Kevin Gepford
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Melville in the Galapagos
“What other bodily being possesses such a citadel wherein to resist the assaults of Time?” That’s Herman Melville talking about tortoises. In 10 vignettes he paints a portrait of the Galapagos Islands, and the tortoise is a recurring character.
Written by: Kevin Gepford
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American Museum of Natural History, Galápagos Tortoise, Tortoise
Preserving Lonesome George
When you set foot in the Hall of African Mammals at the American Museum of Natural History for the first time, it’s startling to see the elephant’s foot… at eye level.
Written by: Kevin Gepford
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American Museum of Natural History, Galápagos Tortoise, Tortoise
Tortoise in a Glass Box: Lonesome George
Lonesome George’s time on earth ended before I ever got to meet him.
Written by: Kevin Gepford
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African Spurred Tortoise, American Museum of Natural History, Tortoise
Hermes & Mud at the AMNH
If you believe that the American Museum of Natural History’s interest in animals begins with fossils and ends with taxidermy, prepare to be surprised!
Written by: Kevin Gepford
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