Scientists once thought this was impossible. However, a tortoise named Matusia, who is about 100 years old (likely 97), has become a mother for the first time. She is now recognized as the oldest first-time mother recorded for her species. The proud father is Matusia’s companion, Abraczo, who is also nearly 100 years old. Abraczo moved to Philadelphia in 2020 from a zoo in South Carolina. In November 2024, Matusia laid 16 eggs, which caretakers placed in an artificial incubator. The hatchlings, which recently emerged, weigh about 80 grams each. This matters because Galápagos tortoises are endangered in the wild. About 50 remain in U.S. zoos, Live Science reports.
“This is a landmark moment in the history of the Philadelphia Zoo, and we are thrilled to share this news with our city, region, and the world. Matusia arrived at the zoo in 1932, which means anyone who has visited the zoo in the last 92 years has likely seen her,” said Zoo CEO Joe-Elly Mogerman in a statement.
Galápagos tortoises are the largest tortoises in the world. Females are typically smaller than males, who can grow up to 1.8 meters and weigh around 260 kilograms. For centuries, sailors hunted them for meat, drastically reducing their numbers. Humans have also disrupted their habitats by introducing nonnative animals that compete for food or prey on tortoises and their eggs. Tortoises and many other reptiles can reproduce throughout their lives once they reach sexual maturity. The oldest recorded Galápagos tortoise lived to be about 171 years old.
