In Otter News: Ozzy the Desert Tortoise

Ozzy the Desert Tortoise lives at the Lake Superior Zoo. He is about 42-years-old, which is about middle age for the species. Typically they’ll live to be about 40 or 50 years old, but there has been documented cases of them living into their 80s.

These animal will spend about 95% of their lives underground in burrows because they can’t rely on speed to protect themselves from predators.

The shell does some of that work, however. Tortoises can withdraw all of their limbs and head into their shell to protect themselves.

Gila monsters, ravens, coyotes, foxes, and fire ants are some of the desert tortoises predators.