Galapagostortoisescan live for more than 100 years . accord toThe Washington Post , one tortoise , believed to be about 97 old age old , is now the oldest first - time mommy of her metal money .
Mommy , a Western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoise , of late gave birth to four babies at her family at the Philadelphia Zoo . In November 2024 , she laid 16 egg about the size of billiard balls . The first hatch on February 27 , and three more follow suit soon after . Incubation temperatures specify a tortoise ’s sexual urge , and because the four eggs were kept at 85 . ℉ minimum , they are likely to be distaff . ( Temperatures under 82.4 ° F would lead to males . ) ThePhiladelphia Zooteam is keeping an eye on the ballock that have yet to cover , and it could take as long as eight months for the remain siblings to show their faces .
The four hatchlings alone are a reason to lionise . There were only 44 Western Santa Cruz tortoises in all American zoological garden before they arrive . Thanks to Mommy and her partner , 96 - class - honest-to-goodness Abrazzo , that number is now up to 48 and count . The feat is thanks in large part to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums ( AZA ) Species Survival Plan ( SSP ) , which is dedicated to the on-going survival of the fittest of the endangered coinage both in the wilderness and captivity .
For now , the baby are being kept separate from the parents and other tortoises at the menagerie . They currently weigh less than a hammering each and are too small to be around adults of their metal money , which can weigh 100 of pounds . fortunately , zookeepers are able to put up them with the nutrition and maintenance they involve .
The baby tortoise will make their public debut on April 23 , 2025 , and will stay at the Philadelphia Zoo for at least five year . You canfollow the Philadelphia Zooonline to keep caterpillar tread of updates and possibly help the organization name the hatchlings .
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