A TORTOISE slow to become a father has had his first child — aged 135.
Goliath, a Galapagos tortoise weighing 517lb, had never had kids despite trying with a number of females over the years.
Goliath with long-term zoo keeper Ron MagillJam Press/Zoo Miami
Jam Press/Zoo MiamiProud parent Goliath with his first child[/caption]
Jam Press/Zoo MiamiGoliath and Ron back in 1981[/caption]
But one of eight eggs laid in January by his long-term partner Sweet Pea hatched just in time for Father’s Day after 128 days of incubation.
The hatchling was born at Zoo Miami in Florida on June 4.
It is the first Galapagos tortoise to be bred there.
The zoo is now hoping Guinness World Records will recognise Goliath as the oldest first-time dad.
With Sweet Pea possibly aged 100, she may be the oldest first-time mum too.
Goliath is believed to have hatched in the Galapagos around 1890.
He was acquired by New York’s Bronx Zoo in 1929 before moving to Zoo Miami in 1981.
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