Western Santa Cruz Giant Tortoise Chelonoidis (niger) porteri

The Western Santa Cruz Giant Tortoise is one of the largest of the giant tortoises, with a carapace length up to 1.3 metres, and one of the longest-lived at 150-175 years lifespan. It has a dark, domed carapace for ground grazing, although male hierarchy is said to be determined by the one who can stretch his head the highest.

There are said to be 3 genetically distinct populations of giant tortoises on Santa Cruz Island, the Western Santa Cruz inhabitating the southwestern slopes. Like other giant tortoises, its population is critically endangered from earlier human direct and indirect actions.