The Giant Tortoise (Meiolania platyceps) is a large Oceanian reptile. It is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon.
Description[]
Giant tortoises of the genus Meiolania (Small Roamer) were found in Australia and neighboring islands up until the Late Pleistocene Epoch. They ranged in size, with one Australian species reaching lengths of 2m (6.6ft) in length. It is the second largest land-dwelling chelonian of all time, the only bigger one being the nearly cow-sized Megalochelys. They could be recognized by their skulls, which featured large horn-like protrusions that would have provided protection against predators at the expense of being able to withdraw their heads into their shells like modern tortoises. The tail of these tortoises was protected in armored "rings" and spikes.
Like modern giant tortoises, Meiolania was herbivorous. Although most species are known to be terrestrial animals, some may have been partially aquatic and had a similar lifestyle to the modern Marine Iguana. It is believed that rising sea levels caused the extinction of Meiolania.
Zoo Tycoon[]
The Giant Tortoise is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon and was added as part of the Dinosaur Digs expansion pack. In Freeform mode, it is one of five prehistoric animals available at the start of the game. It is classed as an Ice Age animal, and as such features in the expansion pack's first scenario.
The Giant Tortoise is a tundra animal and is semiaquatic, requiring a lot of fresh water for it to swim as well as some gray stone. As a semiaquatic animal, it can be placed in a hybrid exhibit if Marine Mania is installed. Its favorite foliage is the Arctic Grass. Like dinosaurs, they are hatched from eggs and age slowly in comparison to other prehistoric reptiles.
 Animal Facts
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| Meiolania are the largest land turtles ever to walk the face of the earth. Becoming extinct only recently in comparison to the dinosaurs, Meiolania trod the earth during the Pleistocene Epoch and disappeared around the same time humans arrived. Although the Pleistocene is widely known as the Ice Age, Meiolania's home ranges of Australia and South America were not as quickly and dramatically altered as lands in the Northern Hemisphere. This probably allowed Meiolania to flourish as a species for longer than many of its early contemporaries.
With a head two feet across in width and an overall length of over eight feet, Meiolania is very impressive based on its size alone. There is more to Meiolania than just size, however: two large bony horns jut out from its head, and its tail is covered with spikes. The spikes are something of a tradeoff--while they might discourage some predators, they also prevent Meiolania from drawing its head in under the protection of its massive shell as modern turtles do. As might be expected, Meiolania spends the many decades of its life at a slow and easy pace. Occasionally seen munching on low growing plants, Meiolania can survive for long stretches without food or water if necessary. Plenty of warm sunlight to bask in is essential for Meiolania, but they don't particularly care if they have company to share it with or not. After witnessing some of the more spectacular exhibits, your visitors will find Meiolania both impressive and relaxing to observe. |
Gallery[]
Zoo Tycoon[]
Trivia[]
- Despite being depicted as a tundra dwelling reptile in Zoo Tycoon, the Giant Tortoise actually lived in warmer habitats, as prehistoric Australia and its neighboring islands had a temperate climate.
- The Animal Facts mentions that the Giant Tortoise also lived in South America during the Pleistocene, however fossils of the genus have only been found in Australia, New Zealand and their neighboring islands.
- When the Giant Tortoise sleeps, it withdraws its head and legs into its shell like a modern tortoise. This is impossible for the real Meiolania, as the spikes on its head would have prevented this.
- The Giant Tortoise is one of only four animals introduced in Zoo Tycoon: Dinosaur Digs that won't kill any other animals, the others being Apatosaurus, Caudipteryx and Lambeosaurus. These four can only kill staff members if they escape their exhibit.