Charles Darwin discovered the Galapagos tortoise while sailing on the HMS Beagle in 1835. He noted the shells’ unique shape and gigantic size. Experts estimate that the tortoises have inhabited the Galapagos Islands for more than two million years. The ancient reptiles have a lifespan of 100 to 200 years. These animals are in the news because a 100-year-old female just gave birth for the first time.
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Born from the mating of Abrazzo and Mommy, these four hatchlings are the first births of Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises at the Philadelphia Zoo. The species is critically endangered. Although their exact ages aren’t known, Mommy and Abrazzo are estimated to be around 100. So far, there are only four hatchlings, but zoo personnel are monitoring additional eggs, hoping they will also produce hatchlings.
Mommy and Abrazzo are the oldest residents in the zoo. Mommy arrived at the zoo in 1932. She has laid eggs in the past, but none were viable. Abrazzo arrived in 2020 specifically for the breeding program. The incubation temperature determines the sex of the Galapagos tortoise hatchlings, so zoo personnel can select how many male and female hatchlings they need to keep the species growing. The first four hatchlings are all female.
The zoo will allow visitors to see the hatchlings on April 23, 2025, inside the Reptile and Amphibian House. The hatchlings will stay at Philadelphia Zoo for their first five years. After that, they may travel to new locations to continue rebuilding the species. There might be news about additional hatchlings soon. Follow the Philadelphia Zoo on Facebook for information on how you can help the zoo name the new Galapagos tortoises.
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