Inside the Testudines we find the spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) of the genus Testudo. This genus is shared with 7 other tortoises, making a total of 8, among which are some such as the Russian tortoise or the Mediterranean tortoise. Something that defines turtles in general is their ability to live for more than a century, reaching a hundred years with relative ease. Do you want to know all the details about this breed of turtle that is spread over up to 3 different continents? Well, read on to learn about the characteristics, diet and conservation status of the spur-thighed tortoise
Characteristics of the spur-thighed tortoise
The spur-thighed tortoises or Testudo graeca are medium-sized tortoises, something difficult to establish due to the immense variability in size and weight between copies. These proportions fundamentally depend on the environmental conditions in which the life of each individual develops. In addition, it depends directly on the quality and quantity of food available.
In this way, we find specimens of the spur-thighed tortoise ranging from 500-600 grams, this size being the most frequent in the Iberian Peninsula. While in Bulgaria it is common for these tortoises to reach sizes 10 times larger, as cases of spur-thighed tortoises weighing more than 7 kilograms have been found A marking is given sexual dimorphism, with females being significantly larger than males.
The shell of the spur-thighed tortoises is shaped convex, being yellowish and olive green, sometimes a little darker reaching look black. It is made up of plates bordered in black and sometimes they also have a central point of this color. Something particular about the breed is that they have a supracaudal plate on the dorsal part of the carapace, which, unlike other breeds, is not divided.
The head is yellow with black spots, which differ in size and shape in each turtle. Their eyes are similar to those of frogs and toads, being especially bulging and black in color.
Habitat of the spur-thighed tortoise
The spur-thighed tortoise inhabits more than 3 continents, these are: Europe, Asia and Africa In Africa it is found in countries of the north coast, such as Algeria or Morocco, while in Asia it does so mainly in Iran, Syria and Israel. On the European continent we find spur-thighed tortoises in Greece, Italy, Turkey and various Mediterranean and Black Sea coast countries.
In Spain there are only 3 recorded populations of this turtle and they are registered, since as we will see later it is a species that is in danger of extinction. These populations are:
- Doñana
- The region of Murcia and Almería
- Calviá
Broadly speaking, the habitat of the spur-thighed tortoise is characterized by being a Mediterranean ecosystem, with thicket and bush forests, low rainfall and high temperatures. That is, an arid or at least semi-arid environment.
Reproduction of the spur-thighed tortoise
Spur-thighed tortoises reach sexual maturity when they are 8-10 years old, the males maturing earlier. From this age, 3-4 clutches are produced, between the months of May and June. These clutches are made in holes that the females have previously dug.
As with other tortoises, such as the Mediterranean tortoise, the sex of the hatchlings is largely determined by environmental conditions. A higher percentage of females occurs when temperatures exceed 31, 5 degrees, while below that the males tend to predominate. If the temperature is outside the range of 26 to 33 degrees,probably the embryos will not be born or will do so with malformations and serious problems that make it difficult or prevent proper development.
Food of the spur-thighed tortoise
The spur-thighed tortoises are mainly herbivorous, since their diet is based on the consumption of food from vegetable origin Specifically, they feed on wild plants in their environment, so their diet varies depending on the region and the existing vegetation. Some of the plants that they tend to consume more frequently are thistles, dandelion, alfalfa or rosemary.
Only in very specific cases can the spur-thighed tortoise be seen consuming non-vegetable food, such as insects or even small dead animals or carrion. This is more frequent in the case of females, being rare that a male does it.
Like other turtles, such as the Mediterranean tortoise, the spur-thighed tortoise hibernates. This helps them survive the harsh winter, at which time they would not have as many resources to feed themselves. To hibernate, these turtles prepare a hole about 20 centimeters deep, they also use this type of hole to escape from excessive heat.
Conservation status of the spur-thighed tortoise
Currently, the spur-thighed tortoise is in serious danger of extinction One of the causes lies in the custom of capturing them in order to keep them like a pet. This plundering has been so uncontrolled and excessive that many populations of the spur-thighed tortoise have been affected and have decreased or even disappeared completely.
To stop this, drastic measures had to be taken. That is why today, owning a spur-thighed tortoise is prohibited and can legally be penalized. It should not be taken as a joke, as the pen alties can even be imprisonment.
