On the Galapagos and Seychelles islands, Seychelles giant tortoises are the greatest herbivores.
For the initial time, researchers have documented the hunting of a Seychelles giant tortoise and the feeding of a young turtle. The tortoise species was formerly thought to be a lifelong herbivore. Is it possible that this turtle decided to break ranks and eat meat only to try something new? The video was posted to Cambridge University’s official Twitter account, which described it as a “unexpected moment when a giant tortoise – believed to be a vegetarian – attacks and eats a tern chick.” “Some viewers may find scenes in this film disturbing,” he added as a notice.
An adult female tortoise chases a tern chick around a wooden plank in a video filmed on Fregate Island in July 2020. The bird continues flapping its wings to chase the tortoise away but eventually comes to a halt at the log’s end. The tortoise approaches it, opens its mouth, and clamps its jaws around the head of the small bird. The tortoise continues to consume its meal as the decapitated bird rolls on the ground.