Aldabra tortoises at the Reid Park Zoo eat kale, broccoli and hay. Privet and mulberry trimmings are treats.

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These land giants are hard to miss at the Reid Park Zoo. Competing with the Galapagos tortoise for the title of the world's largest tortoise, male Aldabra tortoises can weigh as much as 550 pounds.

The Reid Park Zoo has three Aldabra tortoises: a 486-pound male named Herbie, and two females: Dulce, who weighs 142 pounds, and Georgie, who weighs 174 pounds.

Aldabra tortoises are found on the Aldabra Atoll — an island located off the east side of Africa, north of Madagascar.

Turtles spend most of their time in water, and their bodies are made for it. They have a smooth, flat shell that helps water glide over them while swimming and flippers to help them swim. In contrast, tortoises don't swim; they are designed for life on land. Their high-domed shell isn't good for swimming, but their elephantlike feet are perfect for walking on land.

Tortoises eat mostly plants. Occasionally they will eat carrion (dead animals) or small insects to add nutrients to their diet. Aldabra tortoises have a long neck that helps them reach higher vegetation and sharp jaws to break off leaves and grasses. In an effort to get leaves that are out of reach, Aldabra tortoises have been seen knocking down small bushes and trees.

At the Reid Park Zoo, the Aldabra tortoises eat kale, broccoli and hay. As a special treat they sometimes get branches of mulberry or privet that have been trimmed by the zoo's groundskeepers.

Aldabra tortoises usually live between 60 and 95 years. The tortoises at the Reid Park Zoo are not quite that old yet. Herbie is approximately 54 years old. Dulce is approximately 59, and Georgie is 18 years old.

Records vary as to how old the longest-lived Aldabra tortoise was — but it was pretty old — 170 to 255 years. Without good record-keeping, it is hard to tell exactly how old a tortoise is because they often outlive the scientist or zookeepers who study and care for them.

"The Aldabra tortoises enjoy getting 'tortoise showers' from the hose. When the water hits the tops of their shells, they rise up on their strong legs to make sure that the water can reach their whole body. You may also see them enjoying a mud bath. The mud helps them cool down and protects their skin from the sun and insect bites," says Karen Toca, a Reid Park zookeeper for 19 years.

The next time you're at the Reid Park Zoo, see if you can find the several other species of turtles and tortoises:

● Yellow-footed, red-footed and Galapagos tortoises are located in the South American Loop, near the llama.

● Amazon River turtles are located in the caiman exhibit.

● Radiated and leopard tortoises are from Africa and can be seen in their exhibits, in front of the zebra exhibit.

● Bell's hinged tortoises can be found with the hornbills in the flight connection during warmer months.