Goliath the Galapagos Tortoise Just Turned 135—and Became a Dad for the First Time

Zoo Miami threw a birthday party for their oldest resident, Goliath, as he hit 135 years on June 15. But this wasn’t just any birthday. It was also his first Father’s Day—yep, Goliath finally became a dad.

The giant Galapagos tortoise, who weighs over 500 pounds, became a father earlier this month when one of Sweet Pea’s eggs hatched. That egg was part of a clutch laid back in January, and the little one finally broke through its shell on June 4. This is not only Goliath’s first baby, but also the first Galapagos tortoise ever hatched at Zoo Miami.

Ron Magill from the zoo summed it up: “Goliath is my hero.” Honestly, same.

The Galapagos tortoise population was hit hard over the past century—thanks to people and invasive species messing up the ecosystem. Now, threats like climate change and shrinking habitats are the big problems.

Goliath’s origin story? He hatched sometime between 1885 and 1890 on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos. He moved to the Bronx Zoo in 1929, then to Miami in 1981. He’s had a few lady tortoises in his life, but until now, no babies.

His new partner, Sweet Pea, is no spring hatchling either—zoo officials think she’s somewhere between 85 and 100 years old. Both parents are doing well, and the hatchling is healthy, living in its own space for now.

And no, tortoise parents don’t do the whole diaper-changing thing. Wild hatchlings are left to figure life out on their own. Goliath’s job is done. Time to bask in the sun and enjoy the belated dad title.