Houston Zoo

April 27 - Galapagos Tortoise Yard

Galápagos tortoises have a mutualistic relationship with some species of Galápagos finches. When the tortoises stand up tall and stretch their necks out, it’s known as a “finch response,” which is a natural behavior they would display in the wild. Finches will land on their necks and clean off parasites and bugs. Our keepers mimic this natural response through a trained behavior with our tortoises.