Greek Tortoise
Testudo graeca
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- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassTestudines
- FamilyTestudinidae (Tortoises)
- GenusTestudo (Mediterranean Tortoises)
- SpeciesTestudo graeca (Greek Tortoise)
About the Greek Tortoise
The Greek tortoise (Testudo graeca), also known commonly as the Moorish tortoise and the spur-thighed tortoise, is a species of tortoise in the family Testudinidae. The species is a medium-sized herbivorous testudinid, widely distributed in the Mediterranean region.
T. graeca is recognized for its longevity, with verified lifespans exceeding 100 years and anecdotal reports suggesting ages over 125 years. Among reptiles, it has one of the largest known genomes. The geographic distribution of the Greek tortoise (Testudo graeca) includes North Africa, Southern Europe, and Southwest Asia. It is commonly found along the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, extending from Anapa, Russia, to Sukhumi, Abkhazia, Georgia. Additional populations are present in parts of Georgia, Armenia, Iran, and Azerbaijan.
The oldest confirmed fossil attributed to Testudo graeca originates from the Early Pliocene of Greece. However, fossils tentatively identified as Testudo cf. graeca have also been reported from the Middle and Late Miocene of Greece and Turkey, suggesting a more ancient and geographically diverse origin.
The Greek tortoise (Testudo graeca... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Greek Tortoise in Pyrénées National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Pyrénées National Park
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doñana National Park | 🇪🇸 Spain | |
| 2 | Pyrénées National Park | 🇫🇷 France |