Zoo discovers 54 year old female tortoise is actually male

Zookeepers in Cleveland, Ohio discovered a tortoise they called “Mary” for 54 years is actually male.

Metroparks Zoo said it can be difficult to establish the sex of a giant Aldabra tortoise. It has now renamed the animal “Terry”.

When the 400lb tortoise arrived at the zoo in 1955 it was assumed he was a she because of a flatter shell, shorter tail and all-around smaller size.

Share