Philadelphia Zoo’s 97-Year-Old Tortoise Becomes a Mom for the First Time—And Her Name Is Perfect
It turns out, slow and steady really does win the race—especially when it comes to motherhood.
A 97-year-old Galapagos tortoise at the Philadelphia Zoo has officially become a first-time mom, setting what zoo officials believe is a species record.
Her name? Fittingly, it’s Mommy.
The zoo shared the heartwarming news this week, celebrating both the surprise and the timing. Mommy has lived at the zoo since 1932, making her a long-time fan favorite and a living piece of the zoo’s history. But no one expected this twist nearly a century later.
Mommy’s Moment
Galapagos tortoises are known for their long lifespans, but first-time births at age 97 are extremely rare. Zoo staff were amazed when routine monitoring showed that Mommy had successfully laid and incubated eggs—and one of them hatched into a healthy baby tortoise.
“This is a huge milestone for both Mommy and the species,” a zoo spokesperson said. “She’s truly living up to her name now.”
A Baby for the Books
The baby tortoise is said to be thriving and already winning hearts. Staff haven’t named the tiny shell-dweller yet, but social media is already full of suggestions like “Speedy,” “Junior,” and “Surprise.”
Zookeepers are now carefully monitoring both Mommy and her new hatchling, and they hope this inspiring event sparks interest in conservation for the endangered Galapagos tortoise population.
Final Thoughts
At 97, Mommy just proved that some surprises are worth the wait. Her story is not just a record-breaker—it’s a reminder that nature always finds a way, and that life can begin again at any age.
So here’s to Mommy—the newest (and oldest) mom in the Philadelphia Zoo family.
