An Improvement in Enclosure Design Can Positively Impact Welfare, Reduce Aggressiveness and Stabilise Hierarchy in Captive Galapagos Giant Tortoises

Authors: Léa Fieschi-Méric, Charlotte Ellis, Francesca Servini, Benjamin Tapley, Christopher J Michaels

Publication/Journal: Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens

Keywords: agonistic interactions, animal welfare, enclosure change, Galapagos tortoises, habituation, zoo-based management

2022

Assessing preferences of two zoo‐housed Aldabran giant tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea) for three stimuli using a novel preference test

Authors: Mark James Learmonth, Sally Sherwen, Paul H Hemsworth

Publication/Journal: Zoo Biology

Keywords: animal welfare, giant tortoise, preference testing, reptile behavior, tortoise, zoo animals

2020

Documenting Aggression, Dominance and the Impacts of Visitor Interaction on Galápagos Tortoises (Chelonoidis nigra) in a Zoo Setting

Authors: Laura Freeland, Charlotte Ellis, Christopher J Michaels

Publication/Journal: Animals

Keywords: behaviour, elo-rating, fixed action pattern, welfare, zoo

2020

Total Eclipse of the Zoo: Animal Behavior during a Total Solar Eclipse

Authors: Adam Hartstone-Rose, Edwin Dickinson, Lisa M Paciulli, Ashley R Deutsch, Leon Tran, Grace Jones, Kaitlyn C Leonard

Publication/Journal: Animals

Keywords: anxiety, captive, light, weather, zoo

2020

Hormonal profiles of captive Galapagos tortoises (Chelonoidis nigra)

Authors: Maile A. Branson, Shannon Atkinson, Meg Ferrell Ramos

Publication/Journal: Zoo Biology

Keywords: estrogen, fertility, progesterone, rainfall, reproduction, temperature, testosterone

2016

Is preference a predictor of enrichment efficacy in Galapagos tortoises (Chelonoidis nigra)?

Authors: Lindsay R. Mehrkam, Nicole R. Dorey

Publication/Journal: Zoo Biology

Keywords: behavior, enrichment, interactions, keeper, reptiles

2014

Lineage identification and genealogical relationships among captive Galápagos tortoises

Authors: E. Benavides, M. Russello, D. Boyer, R. J. Wiese, B. Kajdacsi, L. Marquez, R. Garrick, A. Caccone

Publication/Journal: Zoo Biology

Keywords: captive and wild-born lineage identification, chelonoidis, galapagos, microsatellites, tortoise

2012

Some Analyses and Recommendations on Diet Formulation for Conservation Breeding of the Galapagos Rice Rat of Isla Santiago, Nesoryzomys swarthi

Authors: Dan Wharton, Robert Dowler, Jennifer Watts

Publication/Journal: Zoo Biology

Keywords: conservation breeding, diet formulation, nesoryzomys swarthi, opuntia galapageia

2012

Body size development of captive and free-ranging Leopard tortoises (Geochelone pardalis)

Authors: Julia Ritz, Catrin Hammer, Marcus Clauss

Publication/Journal: Zoo Biology

Keywords: captive breeding, geochelone pardalis, leopard tortoise, morphometrics, testudinae, tortoise growth

2010

Fiber digestibility in juvenile Galapagos tortoises (Geochelone nigra) and implications for the development of captive animals

Authors: Jean-Michel Hatt, Marcus Clauss, Ricarda Gisler, Annette Liesegang, Marcel Wanner

Publication/Journal: Zoo Biology

Keywords: acid detergent fiber, cellulose, crude fiber, lignin

2005