Gramma the Galápagos tortoise, San Diego Zoo's oldest resident, dies at about 141

After more than a century of munching on her favorite foods of romaine lettuce and cactus fruit, beloved Galápagos tortoise Gramma, the oldest resident of the San Diego Zoo, has died.

Gramma was born in her native habitat and was estimated to be about 141 years old, zoo officials said. She died Nov. 20.

This photo provided by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance shows Gramma, a Galapagos tortoise and the oldest animal at the zoo, eating in October 2024. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance via AP

It's not clear exactly when the tortoise arrived at the zoo, but its officials said she came from the Bronx Zoo in either 1928 or 1931 as part of their first group of Galápagos tortoises.

As the world changed around her, she delighted visitors with her sweet, shy personality. She lived through tw