Testudo graeca

E38415

Testudo graeca, commonly known as the Greek tortoise, is a small to medium-sized terrestrial tortoise native to parts of southern Europe, North Africa, and Southwest Asia, often kept as a pet and recognized for its domed shell and herbivorous diet.

Aliases (1)

Statements (49)
Predicate Object
instanceOf reptile
species of tortoise
terrestrial turtle
activityPattern diurnal
bodyTemperatureRegulation ectothermic
breathing pulmonary respiration
carapaceLength up to about 20 centimeters
class Reptilia
commonName Greek tortoise
Spur-thighed tortoise
conservationStatus Vulnerable
describedBy Carl Linnaeus
diet herbivorous
eats flowers
grasses
leafy plants
succulents
family Testudinidae
genus Testudo
geographicDistribution Mediterranean region
habitat Mediterranean woodland
dry scrubland
semi-desert
hasScutes keratinous scutes on carapace
hasSubspecies Testudo graeca graeca
Testudo graeca ibera
Testudo graeca terrestris
keptAs pet
kingdom Animalia
lays eggs in nests dug in soil
lifespan several decades in captivity
several decades in the wild
locomotion quadrupedal
nativeTo Mediterranean Basin
North Africa
Southwest Asia
southern Europe
order Testudines
phylum Chordata
protectedBy CITES Appendix II
reproduction oviparous
shellShape domed
shellType high-domed carapace
skeletonType bony endoskeleton
taxonRank species
threat agricultural development
habitat loss
overcollection for pet trade
yearDescribed 1758

Referenced by (2)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Testudo graeca ("Spur-thighed tortoise")
commonName
Testudines
hasNotableSpecies

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