Greek Tortoise

Appearance

The Greek tortoise is often confused with Hermann's tortoise. However, notable differences enable them to be distinguished.

Naming

The division of the Greek tortoise into subspecies is difficult and confusing. Given the huge range of over three continents, the various terrains, climates, and biotopes have produced a huge number of varieties, with new subspecies constantly being discovered. Currently, at least 20 subspecies are published:
⤷  "T. g. graeca"
⤷  "T. g. soussensis"
⤷  "T. g. marokkensis"
⤷  "T. g. nabeulensis" - Tunisian tortoise
⤷  "T. g. cyrenaica"
⤷  "T. g. ibera"
⤷  "T. g. armeniaca" - Armenian tortoise
⤷  "T. g. buxtoni"
⤷  "T. g. terrestris"
⤷  "T. g. zarudnyi"
⤷  "T. g. whitei"
⤷  "T. g. floweri"

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 the carapace ranges from minimal to pronounced. So as not to become lost in the number of subspecies, recently a few tortoises previously classified as "Testudo graeca" have been assigned to different species, or even different genera.

The genetic richness of "Testudo 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 the Tunisian 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 long hibernation.

At the other extreme, animals from northeastern Turkey are very robust, such as Hermann's tortoise. The largest specimens come from Bulgaria. Specimens of 7 kilograms have been reported. In comparison, the Tunisian tortoise has a maximum weight of 0.7 kg. "Testudo graeca" is also closely related to the marginated tortoise. The two species can interbreed, producing offspring capable of reproduction.

Reproduction

In "T. 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. During copulation, the male opens his mouth, showing his red tongue and making squeaking sounds.

During mating, the female stands 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 female.

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 the marginated tortoise.

Food

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 tortoise needs to survive.