Carol Doyle, age 11, of Macedon, Ng

How big is the Galapagos turtle?

This famous fellow claims to be the Old Timer of the animal kingdom, Some say he lives to celebrate a hundred birthdays, or more. His life begins when he hatches from a round, white egg which is about two and a half inches wide, The young turtle grows at a great rate, adding maybe 50 pounds to his weight every year, He is fully grown about the time he reaches his tenth birthday.

The giant Galapagos turtle is big enough and certainly sturdy enough to take you for a ride on his back. You would have to scramble up some three feet and from his tail end, over his humpy back to his nose, the big fellow may measure more than five feet. If he is one of the biggest of the giant turtles, he may well tip the scales at 500 pounds  which is one‑quarter ton.