Currently behind the scenes in the zoo’s Reptile and Amphibian House, the four hatchlings will make their public debut April 23.
Mommy, a Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoise (Chelonoidis niger porteri) who came to the Philadelphia Zoo in 1932 has just become a mom for the first time ever, making her the oldest known first time mom for her species in captivity, according to the zoo. She is estimated to be around 100 years old. The father, Abrazzo is also about the same age.
The first of the four hatchlings broke out of her shell February 27, the other three followed shortly after and more may possibly be coming in the next several days. Currently behind the scenes in the zoo’s Reptile and Amphibian House, the four hatchlings will make their public debut April 23, which coincides with the 93rd anniversary of Mommy coming to the zoo.
“This is a significant milestone in the history of Philadelphia Zoo, and we couldn’t be more excited to share this news with our city, region, and the world,” Philadelphia Zoo President & CEO Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman said in a press release. “Mommy arrived at the Zoo in 1932, meaning anyone that has visited the Zoo for the last 92 years has likely seen her. Philadelphia Zoo’s vision is that those hatchlings will be a part of a thriving population of Galapagos tortoises on our healthy planet 100 years from now.”
Mommy is about 100 years old. Photo by Philadelphia Zoo
The zoo has been working to successfully breed Abrazzo and Mommy since December 2020, when Abrazzo came to the zoo from the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in South Carolina on a Galapagos Tortoise Species Survival Plan program. New substrate was purchased that enabled Mommy to lay eggs. She first laid eggs in 2023, resulting in four clutches of eggs. The first three resulted in non-viable eggs, the fourth clutch, laid in November 2024 was viable. Mommy laid a total of 16 eggs. They were then separated and incubated according to temperature in hopes of hatching 8 females and 8 males. The four that have hatched thus far are all female.
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“As an AZA accredited institution, we take great responsibility participating in the Galapagos Tortoise Species Survival Plan, and are thrilled for this successful pairing of Mommy and Abrazzo,” says Vice President of Animal Well-Being and Conservation Rachel Metz. “At one point, each of the Galapagos Islands had its own unique Galapagos tortoise, but sadly, several of them are now extinct. These hatchlings not only protect the species from extinction, but serve as important ambassadors to inspire guests to save wildlife and wild places.”
Western Santa Cruz Island Galapagos Tortoise Information
The Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoise is a subspecies of the Galapagos tortoise and is only found on the southwestern slopes of the Santa Cruz island in the Galapagos island chain. The critically endangered species has a life expectancy of about 175 years and is known for its domed, black, oval carapace. It is estimated that there are 3,400 individuals in the wild on Santa Cruz Island.
