Goliath, 135-Year-Old Tortoise, Becomes First-Time Dad at Zoo Miami

Zoo Miami's 135-year-old Galapagos tortoise, Goliath, has become a father for the first time, coinciding with his birthday and Father's Day. The hatchling, emerging from a clutch laid by Sweet Pea, aged between 85 and 100, marks the zoo's first successful Galapagos tortoise birth.
Despite previous unsuccessful breeding attempts, Goliath's recent paternity is a significant milestone. Zoo Miami has applied for Guinness World Records recognition for 'The Oldest First-Time Father in History,' highlighting the rarity of such late-life reproduction among tortoises.
Goliath's journey from hatching on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos in the late 19th century to fatherhood at Zoo Miami underscores the enduring vitality of these ancient creatures.