Hermann's Tortoise, Testudo hermanni

This is another very common tortoise in the Pelion region. Its brownish-blackish head is moderate in size with a non-protruding snout and hooked upper jaw.

Carapace is moderately domed, about 20cm (8in) in length, and develops a wavy rim in older specimens. It is quite variable in color, ranging from yellow, olive, or orange, to dark brown. Lighter individuals have dark blotching.

Plastron is dark brown or black with a yellow border and midseam.

It is quite similar to another quite common Greek species, the Spur-thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca). However, T. hermanni differs from other European tortoises in having the following combination of features:

usually two supracaudal scutes;
large scale on tail;
lack of spurs on thighs.

Main differences are shown in the sketches below, which have been adapted from "A Field Guide to the Reptiles & Amphibians of Britain and Europe," Collins, London, 1992.


Hermann's Tortoise: Often two supracaudals, large scale on tip of tail.		Spur-thighed Tortoise: Often one supracaudal, spurs on thighs.

Food
Mainly

herbivorous, eating both leaves and flowers, fruit and other plant material. May supplement diet with earthworms, snails, insects, and carrion.

Active
Between May and September. Like most tortoises, it tends to be active in the morning and evenings, spending the remainder of the day resting.

Habitat
Prefers evergreen Mediterranean oak forest, but, due to habitat degradation, is found in dry meadows, scrub hillsides, and rocky slopes. Seems to like dense vegetation, but avoids moist places.

Distribution
Southern Europe from northeast Spain to the Balkans, Bulgaria, and Turkey. Also found on islands in the Mediterranean.

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Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Eukaryota; Kingdom: Metazoa; Phylum: Chordata; Superclass: Gnathostomata; Class: Reptilia; Order: Chelonia; Suborder: Cryptodira; Superfamily: Testudinoidea; Family: Testudinidae; Genus: Testudo; Species: hermanni