The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk announces its first-ever hatching of a tortoise: a leopard tortoise on Jan. 6.
The tiny tortoise is the first member of the turtle and tortoise family (Testudines) to ever hatch at the Aquarium. The egg was the result of a pairing among six leopard tortoises added in a new display last summer.
“We are extremely proud of our biologists for broadening their range of animal-husbandry expertise,” said Barrett L. Christie, director of Animal Husbandry. “Our herpetofauna team, led by Senior Aquarist Sarah Penfold, has done an excellent job ensuring that these animals thrive.”
Though weighing only 10 grams upon hatching, the new tortoise will not stay small. Leopard tortoises are the fourth-largest tortoise species, growing to an average of 40 pounds.
Christie said the hatchling tortoise will not be seen by Aquarium guests until it is a little bigger and robust.
Leopard tortoises are native to the semi-arid savannahs of central and southern Africa, from the Sudan down to the cape. They are known for their highly domed carapaces with attractive contrasting black-and-yellow patterns.
Learn more about The Maritime Aquarium’s animals, exhibits, IMAX® movies and programs at www.maritimeaquarium.org.