‘Hope in a shell’: 100-year-old endangered tortoise becomes mother for the first time

Rare Galápagos species welcomes new hatchlings after 92 years at the zoo. (Image: Philadelphia Zoo)

The story of a cherished Galápagos tortoise at the Philadelphia Zoo becoming a first-time mother after over a century of peaceful existence is enchanting the city.

The zoo has been home to Mommy, a western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoise, since 1932. Her true age is unknown, but zookeepers put her at around 100 years old. She laid eggs for the first time this year, and her babies have hatched.

A worthwhile contribution to a dwindling species is made by the West The Santa Cruz The Galápagos tortoise is critically close to extinction. They exist only on the Galápagos Islands, and man has done them harm. There are now fewer than 50 in zoos in the United States.

Mommy produced 16 eggs in November of 2024. The eggs were incubated artificially by the zookeepers. Since turtle sex is determined by incubation temperature, temperatures were precisely controlled. Males like lower temperatures, while females like higher temperatures.

Incubation resulted in half the eggs being female and the other half male. So far, only female hatchlings have emerged.

A vital step for the future
Not only are the new hatchlings cute. They represent hope for the species, says Ashley Ortega of the Species Survival Plan in Texas.

Only forty-four of these tortoises existed in American zoos before this hatching. The arrival of these newborns is a harbinger of a better future and fresh genetic diversity.
The team was over the moon and called Mommy's achievement wonderful. In her opinion, "it was considered to be almost impossible." "Now we hope this success can be replicated by other zoos."

The life expectancy of these tortoises is not known to scientists currently. San Diego Zoo states that one was reported at 171 years old.

After more than a century of anticipation, Mommy is finally a mother and is now basking in a less flamboyant limelight.