Nine More Critically Endangered Galapagos Tortoises Hatch at Philadelphia Zoo, Totaling 16 Babies for nearly 100-year-old First-Time Mom

Philadelphia Zoo is thrilled to share that nine more critically endangered Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises have hatched inside the Zoo’s Reptile & Amphibian House.

These babies are the second clutch of this species to ever hatch in Philadelphia Zoo’s 150+ year history. The hatchlings’ parents, Mommy and Abrazzo, are the Zoo’s oldest residents and are estimated to be nearly 100 years old. The nine new hatchlings, six males and three females, are eating and growing appropriately. These offspring join seven others that hatched earlier this year and made Mommy the oldest first-time mom of her species, now with a total of 16 babies. The hatchlings are spending time inside their habitat in the Reptile & Amphibian House, in their outdoor habitat near the building, and behind-the-scenes. The babies are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding program to ensure the survival of this species and maintain a genetically diverse population. Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises are listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with threats including human-wildlife conflict, the introduction of invasive species, and habitat loss. Including the hatchlings, there are now 60 total Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises in the managed AZA population.

“The story of Mommy, Abrazzo and their now 16 babies, has captured the imaginations of people around the world,” said President & CEO Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman. “It’s made us all think about what legacy means when it comes to conservation and protecting what is precious. It’s Philadelphia Zoo’s mission to make sure these hatchlings are living on a healthy planet 100+ years from now, when they might be having offspring of their own.”

“What motivates us each and every day is sharing the joy of animals and creating meaningful connections between them and our guests,” said Vice President of Animal Well-Being and Conservation Rachel Metz. “Galapagos tortoises, and many, many other critically endangered reptile and amphibian species, are in serious need of our help and attention. I hope these hatchlings inspire a new generation of herpetologists to work in zoos and continue the important work we are doing.”

“In less than a year, our animal care team has done what was considered nearly impossible twice,” said Director of Herpetology Lauren Augustine. “We are so grateful for the hard work and dedication they’ve taken in every step of this process: from Abrazzo’s arrival in 2020, introducing him to Mommy in 2022, to digging up and incubating two viable clutches of eggs and now caring for 16 hatchlings. We are also thankful to our AZA community that has provided expert guidance through every step. This success is also not possible without the collaboration of the entire Zoo, including our veterinary, facilities, conservation education and fundraising teams.”

In October 2020, Abrazzo came to the Zoo on an SSP breeding recommendation from Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in South Carolina. On Giving ZOO Day 2021, the Zoo community made donations to purchase new substrate (nesting material like sand and soil) that Mommy would be able to lay her eggs in. In 2022, the animal care team worked jointly with the Zoo’s conservation education team to study the giant tortoises and create an ethogram of Abrazzo’s behaviors to see how he spent his time. Since 2023, Mommy has laid a total of five clutches. Three prior clutches did not result in viable eggs. In November 2024, Mommy laid her first viable clutch.

The sex of Galapagos tortoises is determined by the incubation temperature. Temperatures below 82.4°F produce males and above 85.1°F produce females. Eggs hatch after four to eight months; eggs incubated at temperatures that produce females typically hatch first. The November 2024 clutch resulted in four females (hatched in February-March 2025), named after the Golden Girls, and three males (hatched in April 2025), including one named Zee in memory of Midshipman 3/C Justin Zemser. In January 2025, Mommy laid another clutch of eggs which resulted in three females (hatched May 2025) and six males (hatched June-July 2025).

In celebration, and to support animal care and conservation, the Zoo is offering supporters a chance to name one of the nine male tortoises. For every $25 donation made to this campaign, participants receive an entry to win. All funds raised will benefit the Zoo’s conservation efforts. Supporters can make a gift between Wednesday, August 20, and Wednesday, August 27 at 11:59 PM for the chance to name one of these history-making babies that could live over 100 years. The name will be subject to the Zoo’s approval. Learn more at the Zoo’s website.

Seven more of the tortoises have been named by the animal care staff who care for them directly. Names include:

• Colette, female: named for Colette Adams, a living legend in the herpetological world who served as a valuable resource through the breeding and incubating process at the Zoo. She’s a leader in the Galapagos tortoise SSP and the Deputy Director of Gladys Porter Zoo in Texas.
• Soledad, female: the name translates to “solitude” or “lonesomeness” in English, and serves as a nod to Lonesome George, the last Pinta Island Galapagos tortoise that passed away in 2012, ending the species. It’s also a nod to The Solitude Mansion on the Zoo’s campus.
• Isabelle, female: named for Isabelle Hunt Conant, who served as the Zoo’s dedicated photographer in the 1930s and 1940s. She illustrated and took photographs for her husband Roger’s publications, including “A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians,” published in 1958.
• Roger, male: named for Roger Conant, who was the Herpetology Curator three years after Mommy’s arrival at the Zoo starting in 1935. He was a prominent herpetologist and went on to become the Director of the Zoo in 1962 through 1973. He designed the Reptile & Amphibian House which opened in 1972. His wife was Isabelle Hunt Conant.
• Fausto, male: named for Fausto Llerena, who was a park ranger at Galapagos National Park and Lonesome George’s caretaker for 40 years.
• Caldero, male: Calderas are large, circular craters that form after a magma cavity is emptied in an eruption. This name is a nod to the ancient calderas on the Santa Cruz island where Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises are native.
• Lee, male: named after an animal care specialist’s grandfather who shared his love of animals with generations of his family and taught them the importance of conservation.

Philadelphia Zoo staff also held a drawing for another member of the team to name a male hatchling, choosing the name James after her son; another animal at the Zoo, Abby the giraffe, is named for her daughter. Two male hatchlings remain unnamed.
The animal care team is using different colors of nontoxic nail polish to place small spots on different parts of the hatchlings’ shells to differentiate them. The tortoises will be sharing time inside their habitat in the Reptile & Amphibian House, in their outdoor habitat near the building, and behind-the-scenes.

Galapagos tortoises are found on the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Ecuador. They are the largest living species of tortoise; males can grow to be 500 pounds while females average around 250 pounds. They are cold-blooded animals and spend one to two hours basking in the sun before spending another eight to nine hours grazing and relaxing. Scientists estimate they can live between 100-200 years old. There are currently 13 living species that are native to seven of the islands.
When Mommy’s first hatchlings made their public debut in April, the Zoo designed t-shirts to support their care; they are still available for purchase on the Zoo’s website. The three designs are based off of photos taken of the baby tortoises and Mommy. Slogans include “Never Too Late,” “Saving Species Since 1859,” and “Live Long and Grow a Thick Shell.” Part of the proceeds will go to the Zoo’s animal care fund. T-shirts can be purchased at philadelphiazoo.org/babytortoises.

Philadelphia Zoo is home to three adult Galapagos tortoises, male Abrazzo, females Mommy and Little Girl, and 16 hatchlings (nine male and seven female). The hatchlings will remain at the Zoo for at least one year. The Zoo will work with the AZA SSP to determine when some of the hatchlings will move to different facilities in the fall of 2026. The Zoo is also home to two giant Aldabra tortoises, Wilma and Betty.

Guests can also meet Mommy and Abrazzo during a Behind-the-Scenes experience at the Zoo. Tours are offered Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00pm. Tickets are $65 dollars and do not include Zoo admission. Members receive discounts on tickets.