Endangered Egyptian Tortoise the Size of a Coin Born in Welsh Zoo

An itty-bitty tiny baby Egyptian tortoise - a member of a critically endangered species that has nearly gone extinct - was just born at Plantasia Tropical Zoo in Swansea, Wales.

As small as a coin and weighing just 7g, the baby Egyptian tortoise is the descendent of one of five adult Egyptian tortoises that were rescued from an animal smuggler in Italy six years ago. The smuggler was trafficking over 200 of these tortoises, and was planning to sell them as pets. These tortoises became part of an European conservation programme and were redistributed to 40 zoos throughout the continent, with five of the tortoises - two males and three females - sent to Plantasia Tropical Zoo.

The eeny-weeny precious little newborn was the first to be born from these five tortoises, setting the zoo on a ‘babywatch’ to see if more will follow. Also, they named it 'Bow', because the shell pattern right above its head resembles a hairbow. Seriously. Look at it. It's like, literally born to be adorable.