Mediterranean Tortoise – Testudo hermanni

The Mediterranean turtle (Testudo hermanni) is a species of land turtle in the Testudinidae family found in Europe. The scientific name of the species has been given in honor of the French naturalist Johann Hermann. The geographical distribution of the species includes Southern Europe, the Balkan Peninsula and several Mediterranean islands. The distribution of the species in Greece includes mainland Greece, the Peloponnese, Evia and the Ionian Islands.

The Mediterranean Turtle is a small-medium-sized turtle with a shell length of 20-25 cm and a black-yellow color, although in adults the brightness of the colors weakens and becomes gray-pale yellow. It has a slightly hooked upper jaw and like all other turtles, it has no teeth. It feeds mainly on plants but also on invertebrates. Females lay 2-12 eggs in holes they dig in soft soil, which hatch after about two and a half months. The hatchlings have an average carapace length of about 3.5 cm. Males become sexually mature at 8-12 years of age, while females (which are also older than males) at 11-13 years. Its limbs are grayish to brown and its tail has a tubercle (lump) on its tip. Adult males have particularly long and thick tails and well-developed tubercles. It can live up to 50 years.

PRESERVATION STATUS:
Greece hosts the world’s largest population of Mediterranean turtles. However, almost all of its populations show strong and ongoing decline trends, as a result of which the specific species is included in the VU (Vulnerable) category.

THREATS:
The most important category of threats to the reptiles included in the Red Book of Greece was found to be the anthropogenic destruction and degradation of their habitats. The main threats to the Mediterranean turtle are:
• Degradation of habitats (residential expansions, development of agricultural holdings).
• Illegal human activities (captivity and smuggling).
• Habitat losses due to fires
• Killing due to passing on highways.

TARGET GROUPS:
Common citizens, naturalists, breeders, farmers and generally groups of people who are often in contact with the terrestrial environment of the area.