Giant tortoise celebrates becoming a father... and turning 135!

Goliath has become a father for the very first time at 135!

A Galapagos tortoise named Goliath celebrated his 135th birthday on Father's Day.

But reaching an impressive age isn't the only special event that's happened in his life recently.

Up until this year, the giant tortoise, which lives at Zoo Miami in Florida and weighs more than 230 kilograms, had never had any offspring of his own.

That all changed when one egg out of a group of eight hatched on 4 June, making him a father for the very first time.

It means his latest birthday also turned out to be his very first Father's Day.

The new baby tortoise is also a big deal as it's the first time in the history of Zoo Miami that a Galapagos tortoise has hatched.

Several species of giant tortoise are currently under threat and some have already gone extinct.

Goliath first came to the US in 1929, and was eventually brought to Zoo Miami in 1981.

Despite breeding with several females during his time at the zoo, Goliath had never successfully produced any offspring.

The new tortoise's mother, called Sweet Pea, is thought to be between 85 and 100 years old.

Both Goliath and Sweet Pea are said to be doing well and the hatchling is being looked after in a separate enclosure.

"Goliath is my hero, and I am sure he will soon be an inspiration to many others!" Zoo Miami spokesman Ron Magill said in a statement.

"He is living proof that where there is a will, there is a way and to never give up!"