A Galapagos tortoise named Mommy, who has lived at the Philadelphia Zoo since 1932 and is estimated to be nearly 100 years old, became the oldest known first-time mother of her species in 2025 — and her story is circulating online again this fall.
Mommy and her mate, Abrazzo, who is also estimated to be close to a century old, produced 16 hatchlings across two clutches, according to the Philadelphia Zoo.
A Long Wait For A Mate
Mommy arrived at the zoo in 1932 but didn’t produce offspring for decades. That changed after Abrazzo arrived in October 2020 from Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina, brought in under a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP), according to a zoo press release.
PEOPLE reported that the pair were introduced in 2022 and that earlier clutches produced no viable eggs before Mommy laid her first successful clutch in November 2024.
Credit: Philadelphia Zoo
16 Hatchlings, Two Clutches
Mommy’s first clutch, laid in November 2024, contained 16 eggs. Zoo staff dug up the eggs and incubated them at specific temperatures, since a tortoise’s sex is determined by incubation temperature, per the Philadelphia Inquirer. Four females were the first to hatch, followed by additional hatchlings through the spring.
In August 2025, the zoo announced that nine more tortoises had hatched from a second clutch, bringing the total to 16: nine males and seven females.
“The story of Mommy, Abrazzo and their now 16 babies has captured the imaginations of people around the world,” Philadelphia Zoo president and CEO Jo-Elle Mogerman said.
Golden Girls Names
The first four female hatchlings were named Blanche, Dorothy, Rose and Sophia, after the leading ladies of the TV sitcom The Golden Girls, the Inquirer reported. Other hatchlings were given names honoring people and places tied to Galapagos conservation, including Colette, after herpetologist Colette Adams, and Caldero, a nod to the volcanic calderas on Santa Cruz Island where the species is native.
Credit: Philadelphia Zoo
To tell the hatchlings apart, zoo staff use different colors of nontoxic nail polish, per Fox 29.
Why 16 Babies Matter For The Species
Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises are listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Threats include habitat loss, invasive species, and human-wildlife conflict, according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Before the hatchlings arrived, there were just 44 Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises across all U.S. zoos. With the new additions, the managed AZA population rose to 60. Mommy is also considered one of the most genetically valuable members of her species in human care.
“In less than a year, our animal care team has done what was considered nearly impossible twice,” said Lauren Augustine, the zoo’s director of herpetology.
What Happens To The Hatchlings
The zoo said the hatchlings would remain in Philadelphia for at least a year while staff monitor their growth, with some expected to move to other facilities in fall 2026, according to NBC Philadelphia. The zoo had not provided an update on placements at the time of reporting.
About Galapagos Tortoises
Western Santa Cruz tortoises are among the 13 living species of tortoise native to seven islands in the Galapagos chain off the coast of Ecuador. Galapagos tortoises are the largest living tortoise species, and scientists estimate they can live between 100 and 200 years, as reported by 6abc.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Mommy the tortoise? She is estimated to be nearly 100 years old and has lived at the Philadelphia Zoo since 1932.
How many babies did Mommy have? Sixteen hatchlings across two clutches in 2025: nine males and seven females.
Why is Mommy’s motherhood a record? She is the oldest known first-time mother of her species, according to the Philadelphia Zoo.
Who named the hatchlings after The Golden Girls? Zoo staff named the first four female hatchlings Blanche, Dorothy, Rose and Sophia, after the show’s main characters.
Is the Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoise endangered? Yes. The IUCN lists it as critically endangered, citing habitat loss, invasive species, and human-wildlife conflict.
How long do Galapagos tortoises live? Scientists estimate they can live between 100 and 200 years.
Sources: Philadelphia Zoo press releases, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Fox 29, 6abc, MyChesCo, NBC Philadelphia, and PEOPLE.
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