Mediterranean Spur-thighed Tortoise
Testudo graeca subsp. ibera
40.6286, 22.9941
Field Notes
Description:
Testudo graeca is one of five species of Mediterranean tortoise (genus Testudo, family Testudinidae). It is a threatened species considered vulnerable to extinction according the IUCN Red List. Some of the main charateristics in order to distinguish it from Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni) are: Notable spurs on each thigh (see photo 3), undivided carapace over the tail (see photo 2) and large scales on the front legs (see photo 1).
Habitat:
Spotted on a forest road in Seih-Sou, the suburban forest of Thessaloniki (Greece).
Notes:
Greek common name: Ελληνική χελώνα (Greek Tortoise). Common names are quite confusing: Testudo hermanni is "Greek Tortoise" in EOL and Testudo graeca ibera is "Asia Minor Tortoise" in EOL while Testudo graeca is "Greek Tortoise" in Wikipedia.
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