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Mediterranean
Tortoise
Species
There are many different tortoise
species, for the purpose of this document we will
only look at Mediterranean
species considered (by the author) to be hardy and suitable to the new
tortoise keeper living within the UK.
Scientific Classification
Sub Class -
Anapsida
Sub Order
- Cryptodira
Super Family -
Testudinoidea
Family - Testudinidae (Tortoises)
Sub Family
- Testudo
Testudo graeca graeca - African
Spur-thighed Tortoise
Not recommended to the novice
keeper or if you keep other species, as already stated native to Africa and
require a drier hotter
environment than ibera, hermanni, and marginata,
susceptible
to runny nose syndrome if conditions are not 100% appropriate or housed with
other species.
Note: The name is not to be confused with the Geochelone sulcata - African Spurred Tortoise - an entirely different species altogether.
Testudo graeca Ibera – Turkish
or Greek Spur-thighed
Tortoise
A hardy captive similar success to
that of hermanni, not to be confused with other graeca which tend
to be more delicate.
Previously
Imported in large numbers to the UK before being placed on the banned list
(CITES), most of which perished due to the lack of knowledge, cheapness and
availability of obtaining a replacement every time one died.
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Testudo
graeca terrestris - Lebanese
Tortoise
Originating Syria, Israel, Sinai.
Testudo graeca zarudnyi – Iranian
Spur-thighed Tortoise
Originates from eastern and southern Iran.
Testudo hermanni boettgeri
- Herman's Tortoise
(Eastern Race)
As with ibera, hermanni can tolerate some
cooler weather spells.
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Testudo hermanni hermanni - Herman's
Tortoise (Western Race)
As hardy as the
wider kept hermanni boettgeri
sub species, provide with the same captive care.
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Left: Striking vivid coloured Testudo hermanni hermanni Right: Light example of Testudo hermanni boettgeri |
Left:Testudo hermanni hermanni with the black joined bars Right: broken markings of Testudo hermanni boettgeri |
Testudo marginata - Marginated
Tortoise
Hardy captive,
now becoming more available.
Known as the Marginated tortoise for its
Limited natural habitat
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Testudo horsfieldii - Horsefield's
or Russian Tortoise
This species has steadily increased its popularity in recent years, part of this is due to them proving as another worthy / hardy tortoise.
Testudo horsfieldii photos, courtesy of Graham Penney |
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Testudo kleinmanni
- Egyptian Tortoise
One of the smallest tortoises, the
Egyptian tortoise is not for the beginners, they are bred on occassion demanding
high prices for babies, and have been found to be sensitive to humidity levels.
Should be left for experienced
breeders to further the captive populations and research further.
Testudo kleinmanni photos, courtesy of Matthias Goetz - Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust |
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(Recommended) = known to be a hardy captive species.
Captive bred Mediterranean
tortoises for sale, care, and advice from experienced breeders |
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