This little turtle is the pride of biologists at Guadalajara Zoo.

He was born here in captivity under the supervision of the Ricardo Dávalos, a bird and reptile biologist, at the zoo, at the end of June.

"This is the first birth of a Vallarta Turtle outside its natural habitat. It's the first recorded birth of this species here in Mexico under professional care," Dávalos said.

Vallarta mud turtles are the world's tiniest turtles. Adults can grow to around 10 centimeters (3.9 inches) long

This new arrival was just two centimeters (0.78 inches) long when it was born and weighed 2.8 grams. (0.098 ounces)

The Vallarta mud turtle, official name is Kinosternon vogti, was only recognized as a species in its own right in 2018; previously it was thought to belong to another family of turtles.

To help the eggs hatch the team mimicked the change of season, creating a warm dry environment.

"We had to subject them to a process of climatic stress that is characteristic of this species in its natural state. And that's what helped us achieve the birth of this species," explained Dávalos.

In 2023 the zoo launched a breeding program to save this vulnerable species.

They have 19 adult Vallarta mud turtles in the reproductive group and 37 Vallarta mud turtles in total.

The freshwater turtle species has been assessed as 'critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) scientists in 2022. There are an estimated 1,000 individuals in the wild according to the IUCN.

It is found in the wetlands of Puerto Vallarta, where is faces threats such as habitat loss due to urban development.

Climate change also poses a threat: sand temperatures play a major role in determining sea turtle sex.

"Rising temperatures, especially for turtles and other species where temperature and heat influence sex determination will influence their gender. This rise in temperature causes a difference in the balance of females and males, leading to a greater number of females in the case of turtles. This imbalance is then thrown out, and reproduction in this species decreases," Dávalos said.

In general, warmer temperatures produce more female turtles, and sand temperatures are projected to increase dramatically around the world by 2100, according to researchers at Florida State University.

AP Video by Rogelio Navarro