Help pick names for the 4 rare tortoise hatchlings at the Philadelphia Zoo

Thursday, April 24, 2025 1:18PM ET
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The newly famous Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoise hatchlings at the Philadelphia Zoo are in need of names!

The hatchlings are four adorable reasons to visit the zoo, where they made their public debut on Wednesday.

GMA gets a sneak peek at the Philadelphia Zoo's tortoise hatchlings


It is hard to tell the girls apart, so zookeepers put a little dot of different color nail polish on each of them.

RELATED: Philadelphia Zoo's oldest resident gives birth to 4 critically endangered tortoises

The staff also came up with some creative themes for a naming contest that runs through Sunday.



Here are the choices:

  • Mary, Joan, Grace and Helen: Named for four prominent female scientists who study reptiles.


  • Liberty, Indy - for Independence, Betsy and Belle are a tribute to Philadelphia


  • Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sophia: The names of the Golden Girls characters and a nod to tortoises' long lives.


  • For a real local pop culture reference, the final choices are from the Fresh Prince: Aunt Viv, Willie, Jazz and Avery.

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