#galapagos tortoise

[feather-bone]

[ID: a digital illustration of a brown tortoise with a long neck stretched up to eat a prickly pear fruit.]

The largest extant tortoise at over 900 lbs. They are found only on 7 of the Galapagos islands, and differ in size and shape depending on each island's ecosystem. They can live over 100 years in the wild.

[jadewolf-photography]

San Cristóbal Giant Tortoise

Chelonoidis niger chathamensis Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado, San Cristóbal Galápagos, Ecuador

[gabu-studio]

Ancient Creatures

What defines "ancient"? A creature from a different geological period? A creature that has survived multiple extinctions? Perhaps a creature that has lived up to an age that we once considered impossible? That is where Sir David Attenborough came in, showing mankind a shared world more wilder than ours.

A (rather belated) 100th birthday tribute to the wonderful Sir David Attenborough. Without his influential contributions, I wouldn't have been this fascinated with animals. He taught us that every creature, big or small, has a place on this Earth.

[imr3drhaa]

Master Oogway X Galápagos tortoise!Reader, please?

(YESSS HAHACHAA)

~~~When Time Learned to Love~~~

🌸💚🐢🌸💚🐢🌸💚🐢🌸💚🐢🌸💚🐢🌸💚🐢

(Master Oogway x galapagos tortoise reader)

🌸💚🐢🌸💚🐢🌸💚🐢🌸💚🐢🌸💚🐢🌸💚🐢

The Spirit Realm did not rush.

It never had.

Mist rolled gently over floating stone paths, glowing softly with golden light. Petals drifted without wind, as if the world itself breathed slowly, deliberately. At the edge of a quiet platform, two ancient figures sat side by side.

Master Oogway rested peacefully, his staff planted beside him.

And next to him sat you, (Y/N).

Your shell was larger than his, broader, heavier, etched with centuries of history. You were younger than Oogway by many decades, yet still old enough to have watched dynasties rise and fall. Where his presence was gentle stillness, yours carried quiet strength like a mountain that smiled.

Your shoulders brushed.

Neither of you moved away.

“You are unusually quiet today,” you said at last, voice calm but teasing. “Thinking again?”

Oogway smiled, eyes still closed. “Thinking is overrated.”

You laughed softly. “That is easy to say for someone who knows all the answers.”

“I do not know all the answers,” he replied. “I simply stopped chasing them.”

You hummed, considering that. “You were never very good at chasing.”

“And you,” he said, turning his head slightly toward you, “were never very good at waiting.”

Your eyes met.

The look between you was old—older than words. Familiar. Tender. The kind of look shared only by those who had once tried to destroy each other… and failed beautifully.

Footsteps suddenly shattered the peace.

“MASTER OOGWAY!”

Po came running down the path, breathless, arms flailing. He skidded to a stop, chest heaving.

“I—I think I messed up,” he said miserably. “Everyone was staring at me like I don’t belong and maybe they’re right and—”

He stopped.

Blink.

Blink again.

“…Why are there two turtles?”

You raised an eyebrow.

Oogway smiled serenely.

Po stepped closer, squinting at you. “…You’re not Master Oogway.”

“No,” you said kindly.

Po’s eyes widened. “WAIT.”

He gasped so hard he nearly fell over.

"YOU ARE (Y/N)"

You nodded.

Po practically vibrated. “THE Y/N?! The legendary master who mastered a completely different kung fu style?! The one who fought Oogway for three days straight and cracked the mountain?!”

Oogway chuckled. “Only two days.”

“Three,” you corrected calmly.

Po’s jaw dropped. “YOU WERE HIS ENEMY.”

“Yes,” you said.

“And you almost defeated him.”

“Yes.”

“And your kung fu was so strange no one could copy it.”

“Yes.”

Po looked at Oogway. “Master… why are you sitting so close to your greatest enemy?”

Oogway opened his eyes.

And looked at you.

“With love,” he said simply.

Po’s soul left his body.

“…WHAT.”

You leaned back on your hands, amused. “Ah. This again.”

Po stared at you. “YOU TWO— YOU— LOVE—”

“Yes,” you said gently. “We do.”

Po spun in a small circle. “Enemies to lovers?! Ancient turtle rivals?! THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE.”

Oogway laughed quietly.

Po suddenly paused, frowning. “Wait.”

He leaned closer to you.

“You’re… bigger than Master Oogway.”

“Yes.”

“And your voice is kind of deep.”

“…Yes.”

“And all the scrolls refer to you as ‘the great warrior.’”

You smiled.

Po’s face drained of color.

“…You’re a girl?”

You tilted your head. “I am a she, yes.”

Po froze completely.

Like a statue.

Oogway gently tapped his shell with his staff.

“Po,” he said kindly, “do not let assumptions bind your mind.”

Po snapped back to life. “I’M SORRY I THOUGHT YOU WERE A GUY I JUST— YOU’RE BIG AND STRONG AND—”

You laughed, long and warm. “Oh, little panda. I have terrified many men in my time.”

Oogway smiled at you with unmistakable affection. “That is how she first captured my attention.”

You glanced at him, amused. “I tried to throw you off a cliff.”

“Yes,” he said fondly. “Very romantic.”

Po clutched his chest. “I can’t handle this.”

You turned serious then, eyes soft as you looked at Oogway.

“At first,” you said quietly, “I wanted to defeat him. To prove I was stronger.”

“And I,” Oogway added, “wanted to teach her restraint.”

Your hand slowly reached for his.

Shell to shell.

“But somewhere between the battles,” you continued, “I learned he was the only one who truly saw me.”

Oogway squeezed your hand gently. “And I learned that wisdom is not found only in peace—but also in passion.”

Po sniffed. “I think I’m crying.”

You smiled at him. “Po, you were chosen because you are yourself. Not because others wanted you.”

Oogway nodded. “The universe does not make mistakes.”

Po wiped his face. “…If you two can go from enemies to this, I think I can be the Dragon Warrior.”

You leaned your head gently against Oogway’s shoulder.

“And that,” you murmured, “is why we waited here.”

The Spirit Realm glowed brighter.

Two ancient tortoises.

Once rivals.

Now soulmates.

And somewhere in the distance, a panda walked forward with new courage....guided by love older than time itself.

🌸💚🐢🌸💚🐢🌸💚🐢🌸💚🐢🌸💚🐢🌸💚🐢

Request are open!!!

[redrcs]

Animal portraits.

Galapagos tortoise, Dubbo Zoo.

On my travels

[antiqueanimals]

A Child's Book of Snakes, Lizards, & Other Reptiles. Written by Kathleen N. Daly, illustrated by Lilian Obligado. 1980.

Internet Archive

[jaclynhyde]

Finally got my new camera to the zoo! Do I understand how to use it now? Sort of!

[pears-palette]

Ngl future obituaries I want to read are a main reason I keep going some days. Whatever gets you through it!✌️

[ID in Alt]