Giants still live on Earth. But there are not many left. To see one, you must visit a place called the Galápagos Islands. If you go, don’t be afraid. The giants are only tortoises. But they are the biggest tortoises of all.



Tortoises look a lot like turtles. In fact, they are turtles that live on land. Both tortoises and turtles belong to a group of animals called reptiles. Lizards are reptiles. So are snakes and alligators. Tortoises and other reptiles have bodies that are covered with scales. Scales are flat, hard plates. They protect the reptile’s skin.

Reptiles, like this caiman, have scaly skin. Tortoises are reptiles.

Tortoises have lived on Earth for a very long time. Tortoises are relatives of crocodiles and alligators. All of these animals were living here before the dinosaurs.

Galápagos tortoises are the biggest tortoises in the world. An adult male grows up to 6 feet long. That is as long as a dining room table.