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| Greek tortoise | |
|---|---|
_male_Cap_Bon.jpg) | |
| T. g. nabeulensis male in Tunisia | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Testudines |
| Suborder: | Cryptodira |
| Superfamily: | Testudinoidea |
| Family: | Testudinidae |
| Genus: | Testudo |
| Species: | T. graeca |
| Binomial name | |
| Testudo graeca | |
 | |
| Noteallopatric ranges of "Maghreb" (T. g. graeca) and "Greek" (T. g. ibera) populations | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
List
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TheGreek tortoise (Testudo graeca), also known commonly as thespur-thighed tortoise[1] orMoorish tortoise,[3] is a species of tortoise in thefamilyTestudinidae.Testudo graeca is one of five species of Mediterranean tortoises (generaTestudo andAgrionemys). The other four species areHermann's tortoise (T. hermanni), theEgyptian tortoise (T. kleinmanni), themarginated tortoise (T. marginata), and theRussian tortoise (A. horsfieldii). The Greek tortoise is a very long-lived animal, achieving a lifespan upwards of 125 years, with some unverified reports up to 200 years.[4] It has the largest knowngenome of all reptiles.[5]
The Greek tortoise's geographic range includesNorth Africa,Southern Europe, andSouthwest Asia. It is prevalent in theBlack Seacoast of the Caucasus (fromAnapa,Russia, toSukhumi,Abkhazia,Georgia, to the south), as well as in other regions ofGeorgia,Armenia,Iran, andAzerbaijan.
The oldest known definitive fossil is from theEarly Pliocene of Greece,[6] but specimens referred to asTestudo cf.graeca are known from the Late and MiddleMiocene in Greece and Turkey.[7][8]
The Greek tortoise (T. g. ibera) is often confused with Hermann's tortoise (T. hermanni ). However, notable differences enable them to be distinguished.
| Greek tortoise | Hermann's tortoise |
|---|---|
| Large symmetrical markings on the top of the head | Only small scales on the head |
| Large scales on the front legs | Small scales on the front legs |
| Undivided supracaudal scute over the tail | Supracaudal scute almost always divided |
| Notable spurs on each thigh | No spurs |
| Isolated flecks on the spine and rib plates | Isolated flecks only on the spinal plates |
| Dark central fleck on the underside | Two black bands on the underside |
| Shell somewhat oblong rectangular | Oval shell shape |
| Widely stretched spinal plates | Small spinal plates |
| Movable posterior plates on underside | Fixed plates on underside |
| No tail spur | Tail bears a spur at the tip |
The division of the Greek tortoise intosubspecies is difficult and confusing. Given its huge range over three continents, the various terrains, climates, and biotopes have produced a huge number of varieties, with new subspecies constantly being discovered. As of 2023, at least 20 subspecies have been published, of which the following 12 are recognized as being valid.[9]
This incomplete listing shows the problems in the division of the species into subspecies. The differences in form are primarily in size and weight, as well as coloration, which ranges from dark brown to bright yellow, and the types of flecks, ranging from solid colors to many spots. Also, the bending-up of the edges of theircarapaces ranges from minimal to pronounced. So as not to become lost in the number of subspecies, recently, a few tortoises previously classified asT. graeca have been assigned to different species, or even differentgenera.
The genetic richness ofT. graeca is also shown in its crossbreeding. Tortoises of different form groups often mate, producing offspring with widely differing shapes and color. Perhaps the best means of identification for the future is simply the place of origin.
The smallest, and perhaps the prettiest, of the subspecies, is theTunisian tortoise. It has a particularly bright and striking coloration. However, these are also the most sensitive tortoises of the species, so they cannot be kept outdoors in temperate climates, as cold and rainy summers quickly cause the animals to become ill. They are also incapable of longhibernation.
At the other extreme, animals from northeastern Turkey are very robust, such as Hermann's tortoise. The largest specimens come fromBulgaria. Specimens of 7 kg (15 lb) have been reported. In comparison, the Tunisian tortoise has a maximum weight of 0.7 kg (1.5 lb).T. graeca is also closely related to the marginated tortoise (T. marginata). The two species can interbreed, producing offspring capable of reproduction.
_juvenile_Cap_Bon.jpg)
Males ofT. graeca differ from females in six main points. Firstly, they are generally smaller. Their tails are longer than females and taper to a point evenly, and the cloacal opening is farther from the base of the tail. The underside is somewhat curved, while females have a flat shell on the underside. The rear portion of a male's carapace is wider than it is long. Finally, the posterior plates of the carapace often flange outward.
Testudo graeca hibernates during cold months, emerging as early as February in hot coastal areas. Individual tortoises may emerge during warm days even during winter.[3]
InT. graeca, immediately after waking from hibernation, the mating instinct starts up. The males follow the females with great interest, encircling them, biting them in the limbs, ramming them, and trying to mount them. Duringcopulation, the male opens his mouth, showing his red tongue and making squeaking sounds.
During mating, the female stays still, bracing herself with her front legs, moving the front part of her body to the left and right in the same rhythm as the male's cries. One successful mating will allow the female to lay eggs multiple times. When breeding in captivity, the pairs of females and males must be kept separate. If multiple males are in a pen, one takes on a dominant role and will try to mate with the other males in the pen. If more males than females are in a pen, the males might kill each other to mate with the females.
One or two weeks before egg laying, the animals become notably agitated, moving around to smell and dig in the soil, even tasting it, before choosing the ideal spot to lay the eggs. One or two days before egg laying, the female takes on an aggressive, dominant behavior, mounting another animal as for copulation and making the same squeaking sound the male produces during copulation. The purpose of this behavior is to produce respect in the tortoise community so that the female will not be disturbed by the others during egg laying. Further details of egg-laying behavior are the same as those detailed for themarginated tortoise.
The Greek tortoise is commonly traded as a pet in source countries such as Morocco and Spain, despite the illegality of this trade.[10][11][12] This can lead to an unsustainable removal of wild individuals for the local pet trade and for export. Also, welfare concerns exist with this trade, as the animals are not properly housed when being sold, causing a high rate of mortality in captivity.[13]
In captivity, the Greek tortoise loves dandelion leaves and other leafy plants. However, although they also enjoy eating lettuce, it is not recommended to them due to having a lack of nutrients that the tortoises need to survive.[14]
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