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Greek Tortoise (Spur-thighed) (*T. g. ibera* (Asia Minor Tortoise))
Testudo graeca
Morph *T. g. ibera* (Asia Minor Tortoise). The 'Greek Tortoise'. Extraordinary and very common terrestrial tortoise (8 inches), notorious for its monstrous resistance to the arid heat of North Africa and the Middle East. There are dozens of different subspecies (Ibera, Nabeulensis), each adapted to a slightly different climate. Less tolerant of humidity than Hermann's, it is a perfect desert herbivorous machine for very dry climates.
Class:Testudines
Order:Testudines
Family:Testudinidae
Genus:Testudo
Species:Testudo graeca*
* *T. g. ibera* (Asia Minor Tortoise)
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
40 - 60 %
Day temperature
24 - 38 °C
Night temperature
18 - 24 °C
Adult size
18.5 cm
UVB
High
Species description
Geographic Origin and Habitat: No additional source-verified editorial notes are available about geographic origin and habitat for Testudo graeca. Consult this record's parameters and sources.
Taxonomy and Genetics: No additional source-verified editorial notes are available about taxonomy and genetics for Testudo graeca. Consult this record's parameters and sources.
Behaviour and Habits: No additional source-verified editorial notes are available about behaviour and habits for Testudo graeca. Consult this record's parameters and sources.
Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: No additional source-verified editorial notes are available about morphology and sexual dimorphism for Testudo graeca. Consult this record's parameters and sources.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: ARID OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES. Extreme attention to the origin of the tortoise: if it is a Graeca from North Africa (Tunisian), IT MUST SPEND THE WINTER INDOORS in a heated terrarium. The Graeca Ibera (Turkey) instead strictly require hibernation outside in deep graves covered with dry leaves.
Lighting and Heating: DIRECT SUN or monstrous Basking at 95°F (35°C) (Halogen + UVB 12% in winter tanks). They suffer atrociously from humid cold (fulminant respiratory flus).
Humidity and Hydration: Arid Oven (30-50%). Well-drained areas (sand and mixed potting soil) to avoid puddles in which they would freeze.
Feeding and Supplementation: Dry lawnmowers. Dry hay, prickly pear pads without spines, hibiscus, mallow. In nature they spend months in summer eating totally barren and dry grass due to drought, evolving very efficient kidneys against dehydration.
Compatibility: Docile or violent (Males are brutal shell mounters, strictly separate them or they will smash the poor female's shell in bloody sexual brawls).
Health and Common Diseases: Lethal RUNNY NOSE SYNDROME: mycoplasmic respiratory syndrome ('Runny nose') destroys and kills almost all African Graeca imported into Europe if they are left outside in the rainy autumn humidity without radiant heat to warm their small lungs.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
This species originates from: Sud Europa, Nord Africa e Medio Oriente.
Origin
Selective breeding and cultivarsAfrica and MadagascarEurope, Mediterranean, and West Asia
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 18.5 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 18.5 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 18.5 cm for this species, recorded as straight carapace length (SCL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
