Tortoise Mr Pickles, 90, becomes a father for the first time

Gherkin, Jalapeño Dill

(Image credit: Jackelin Reyna/Houston Zoo)

published 30 March 2023

A tortoise has become a father for the first time at the age of 90. Mr Pickles, who has lived at Houston Zoo for 36 years, welcomed three hatchlings with his partner Mrs Pickles, 53, who came to the zoo in 1996. Both are radiated tortoises, which were once considered one of the world’s most abundant tortoise species, but which are now classed as critically endangered. The hatchlings – named Dill, Gherkin and Jalapeno – might not have survived, had a keeper not noticed Mrs Pickles laying her eggs, which were swiftly moved to the more hospitable conditions of the Reptile House.

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