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Mommy, a critically endangered western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoise, has called the Philadelphia Zoo home since 1932. (Image credit: Philadelphia Zoo)
A Century in the Making: The Story of 'Mommy' the Tortoise
In a heartwarming twist of nature and science, a western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoise has become a mother for the very first time — at approximately 100 years old. Known affectionately as “Mommy,” this giant tortoise, a long-time resident of the Philadelphia Zoo, recently made history by hatching babies for the first time in the zoo's 150+ year legacy.
Though Mommy's exact age remains a mystery, records confirm she has lived at the zoo since 1932. That means generations of visitors — from grandparents to toddlers — have likely walked past her without knowing that this gentle giant was waiting a whole century for her big moment.
An Endangered Species, A Rare Birth
The western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoise (Chelonoidis niger porteri) is critically endangered. Native to the Galápagos Islands, these tortoises once roamed freely in greater numbers. Today, fewer than 50 are housed across U.S. zoos, and their wild populations face continued threats due to human activity, invasive predators, and habitat loss.
That's what makes this event so extraordinary. Mommy’s partner, a male named Abrazzo (also around 100 years old), joined the zoo in 2020 from South Carolina’s Riverbanks Zoo — a facility that had previously succeeded in breeding this species. Their pairing marked a hopeful step for the species' survival, and that hope bloomed in November 2024 when Mommy laid 16 eggs.
Incubation Innovation: Science Meets Nature
Philadelphia Zoo keepers carefully removed the eggs and placed them in artificial incubators. Interestingly, the temperature at which the eggs are incubated determines the hatchlings' sex:
Below 82.4°F (28°C) yields males
Above 85.1°F (29.5°C) produces females
Half the eggs were incubated at each range to ensure a gender mix. So far, only females have hatched, but even this small group marks a huge leap forward for the endangered species.
Ashley Ortega, coordinator of the Galápagos tortoise Species Survival Plan at Texas’ Gladys Porter Zoo, emphasized the breakthrough. "These newest additions represent a new genetic lineage and some much-needed help to the species' population," she said. “The Philly team accomplished something seemingly impossible.”
Why This Matters
This story isn't just about an old tortoise laying eggs. It’s about perseverance, science-backed conservation, and the resilience of life. It’s a reminder that age isn’t a limit — not even in the natural world. In fact, Galápagos tortoises can live well over 150 years, with some individuals reaching 170+.
Philadelphia Zoo’s achievement offers a blueprint for other conservation programs, showing that with patience, expertise, and care, nature can still surprise us in the most beautiful ways.
Final Thoughts: A Hopeful Hatchling Legacy
Mommy’s legacy is now carried forward by her tiny, slow-moving, but mighty hatchlings. With fewer than 50 individuals previously recorded in U.S. zoos, each new tortoise represents not just another animal — but a chance at species revival.
As the Philadelphia Zoo celebrates this historic moment, we’re reminded that even the "seemingly impossible" can become reality when dedication meets hope.
🐢 What do you think about Mommy's story? Do stories like this inspire more support for conservation efforts? Share your thoughts in the comments below or with your friends!