Shells & Sidekicks
EXHIBIT
Shells and Sidekicks
Get up close with some of the most ancient, slow-moving land tortoises on the planet. This interactive exhibit is home to Dozer, our massive and extremely friendly African Spurred Tortoise who loves getting head scratches and crunchy veggie treats. It is a perfect, gentle hands-on encounter for children of all ages. These giant tortoises are native to the hot, semi-arid Sahel desert and dry savannas of Africa, where they dig deep burrows to escape the sun. They survive on a dry, high-fiber diet of desert grasses, weeds, and cacti. Their natural wild population density is low and widely scattered due to the harsh desert terrain, which we contrast in our lush, moderate-density interactive garden exhibit where several tortoises can socialize and graze together safely.
Swamp School
Fun Fact: African Spurred Tortoises are the third-largest tortoise species in the world and can live to be over 100 years old!
Gatorama Explorer Question: Gently touch Dozer’s shell. Does it feel hard like a rock? Can you feel the growth rings (scutes) on his shell that show how he has grown over time?
