A giant tortoise that is 70 years old and in “peak physical condition” has given birth to an incredible eight baby Giant Galapagos tortoises.
Dirk, who was named after the pornstar Dirk Diggler from the movie Boogie Nights, mated with three of the females in the pen he shares with two other males at Crocodiles of the World in Oxfordshire.
In March, it was found out that female Charlie, who is 21 years old, had laid two eggs that had turned into two baby tortoises.
That was the first time a Giant Galapagos tortoise was born in a British zoo.
After that, Dirk got together with Isabella, a female tortoise. Isabella gave birth to four eggs, which hatched in July.
Dirk, who was named after the pornstar Dirk Diggler from the movie Boogie Nights, mated with three of the females in the pen he shares with two other males at Crocodiles of the World in Oxfordshire.
The birth of eight babies at Crocodiles of the World in Brize Norton is a huge step toward saving the giant Galapogos tortoise, a species that is on the verge of extinction.
Then Charlie laid two more eggs, which Dirk, who is said to be in great shape, fertilized. These eggs just recently hatched.
The birth of eight babies at Crocodiles of the World in Brize Norton is a huge step toward saving the giant Galapogos tortoise, which is a species on the verge of extinction.
There are about 15,000 people left in the world, while there were about 200,000 in the 1800s.
Shaun Foggett, the founder and director of Crocodiles of the World, said, “Charlie’s eggs hatched the first two babies in March. Isabella’s eggs hatched four babies in July, and Charlie’s eggs just hatched two more babies.”
There are about 15,000 people left in the world. In the 1800s, there were about 200,000.
“Zuzu hasn’t said anything yet, but they only started laying eggs 18 months ago.”
“We’re pretty sure they’re all women, but we don’t know for sure yet.”
“The babies are kept away from the adults so that their growth and general health can be watched.
It’s a big deal because for at least a decade, only one group of giant Galapagos tortoises in Europe was able to breed the species.
It shows for sure that Dirk could be a very important tortoise in zoos in Europe.
Galapagos tortoises are known for their long necks and are often linked to Charles Darwin, who studied them and came up with the theory of evolution.
“Right now, the biggest boost is the knowledge we can gain and share about everything from how the eggs are laid to how the young are raised.
“This will give us more experience and information about how to breed the species in a zoo setting as a whole.
“When they mate, when they have babies, how they act as adults, what they eat, and what supplements we’ve found helpful or important will all be part of this body of information we’re putting together about breeding the species.
“This is all important information that can be written down and added to what is already known and done on the islands.”
“Our plan right now is to keep the babies at the zoo for the foreseeable future so we can keep an eye on their growth and health as they get older.”
The great British naturalist saw that the big animals had changed their bodies to fit their environment, and that their long necks were designed to reach high-up plants on Galapagos.
“It’s a one-of-a-kind chance to learn and help the future of the species.
“Dirk doesn’t seem tired, and he’s still living with the women.”
Even though the eight baby tortoises are small now, each of them will weigh 30 pounds as an adult.
Giant Galapagos tortoises are known for their long necks and are often linked to Charles Darwin, who studied them and came up with his theory of evolution.
The great British naturalist saw that the huge animals had changed their bodies to fit their surroundings. For example, their long necks helped them reach Galapagos plants that were high up.
Crocodiles of the World also gives money to the Galapagos Conservation Trust. This group does research on the species to help make decisions about how to protect them in the future and keep them living on the Galapagos Islands.
Dirk first came to Britain in 1962, when he was caught in the Galapagos Islands.
Chelonoidis niger, which is the Latin name for the giant Galapagos tortoise, is the largest species of tortoise in the world. They can grow up to 6 feet long and 900 pounds heavy, and they mate all year round.