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Popular Tortoises
Box Turtles
Burmese & Indian / Sri Lankan Star Tortoises
(G. platynota & G. elegans)
Other Stars
Angulate Tortoise
(Chersina angulata)
Misc. Pages
Have Greek tortoise caresheets or photos to share? Email me.
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Greek Tortoises
Testudo graeca
Golden Greek tortoise
Greek tortoise
The Greek tortoise (Testudo graeca) is also known as the Mediterranean Spur-thighed tortoise or Moorish tortoise.
The Testudo graeca subspecies list varies depending on the source and publication date. Below is the 2008 listing from the IUCN / SCC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. For the current classification, go here [offsite link].
- Testudo graeca (T.g.) - Spur-thighed tortoise, Greek tortoise, Moorish tortoise
- T.g. graeca Linnaeus 1758 - Mediterranean Spur-thighed tortoise
- T.g. armeniaca Chkhikvadze and Bakradze 1991 - Araxes tortoise, Armenian Greek tortoise
- T.g. buxtoni Boulenger 1921 - Buxton’s tortoise
- T.g. cyrenaica Pieh and Perälä 2002 - Cyrenaican Spur-thighed tortoise, Libyan Greek tortoise
- T.g. ibera Pallas 1814 - Asia Minor tortoise, Ibera Greek tortoise
- (T.g. lamberti Pieh and Perälä 2004 - later moved to T.g. marokkensis)
- T.g. marokkensis Pieh and Perälä 2004 - Morocco tortoise
- T.g. nabeulensis Highfield 1990 - Nabeul tortoise, Tunisian Spur-thighed tortoise
- T.g. soussensis Pieh 2001 - Souss Valley tortoise
- T.g. terrestris Forsskål 1775 - Mesopotamian tortoise (incl. T. terrestris, T. floweri, T.g. anamurensis, T. antakyensis)
- T.g. zarudnyi Nikolsky 1896 - Iranian tortoise
Confusing names
The Greek tortoise / Mediterranean Spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) should not to be confused with the African Spurred tortoise (Centrochelys [Geochelone] sulcata). Sulcatas are one of the largest tortoise species. Adults can weigh over 150 lb!
In the US, the name Greek tortoise refers only to the Testudo graeca. However, in Europe the Hermann's tortoise (Testudo Hermanni) can also be called the Greek tortoise (Griechische Landschildkröte). Greece is part of Hermann's tortoise's native range.
Quick facts
- very popular pet tortoises, Ibera Greek tortoise (T.g. ibera) is one of the best beginner tortoises
- from southern Europe, Middle East, North Africa
- live in semi arid and rocky areas
- Golden Greeks come from hot and sandy locations, they should be kept warmer than European Greeks
- up to 5"-11"
- like to climb and dig
- outgoing, friendly, hardy, adapt to new environments
- require similar care as Hermann's and Russian Tortoises
- should be kept outdoors during warm summer months
- large, open tubs or tortoise tables are best for indoor winter housing (non hibernating Greek subspecies)
- hibernate yes/no depending on native area
Books about Greek tortoises
See also the Star tortoise books page for additional tortoise related titles, including parasitology and veterinary medicine books. Books below are listed in no particular order.
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Mediterranean Tortoises
- by Lance Jepson
- Kingdom Books, Havant, 2006
- limited availability
- ISBN-10: 1852792299
- ISBN-13: 978-1852792299
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Tortoises * New 2011 book
- by Lance Jepson
- Pet Expert, 2011
- covers Greeks, Hermanns & Russians
- ISBN-10: 1907337148
- ISBN-13: 978-1907337147
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Mediterranean Tortoises
- by Brian Pursall
- TFH, 1994
- limited availability
- ISBN-10: 0793802849
- ISBN-13: 978-0793802845
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Turtles of the World
- by Franck Bonin, Bernard Devaux, Alain Dupré, Peter Pritchard
- The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2006
- nearly 300 species w. photos & range maps
- ISBN-10: 0801884969
- ISBN-13: 978-0801884962
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Tortoises * New 2012 book
- by E.J. Pirog
- TFH, 2012
- includes the Greek tortoise
- ISBN-10: 0793828635
- ISBN-13: 978-0793828630
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Russian Tortoises
- by E. J. Pirog
- TFH Publications, 2006
- includes the Greek tortoise
- ISBN-10: 0793828821
- ISBN-13: 978-0793828821
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Popular Tortoises
- by by Phillippe De Vosjoli
- Advanced Vivarium Systems, 2003
- includes the Greek Tortoise
- ISBN-10: 1882770668
- ISBN-13: 978-1882770663
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The Guide to Owning a Tortoise
- by Jerry G. Walls
- TFH Publications, 1996
- includes the Greek Tortoise
- ISBN-10: 0793820707
- ISBN-13: 978-0793820702
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Greek related links
Greek tortoises
- Arkive - Testudo graeca
- BCG - British Chelonian Group, care sheet for
Mediterranean tortoises
- Garden State Tortoise - differentiating Hermanns from Greek tortoises and differentiating Western Hermanns from Eastern Hermanns tortoises, at Webshots
- Shelled Warriors - bb post; Differentiating Hermanns, Greek, and Marginated tortoises
- Shelled Warriors - bb post, How to tell Testudo graeca graeca from Testudo graeca ibera
- Spur Thighed in the UK - by Lisa McIntyre
- Testudo Farm - many articles with photos about Mediterranean tortoises and their natural habitats, by Wolfgang Wegehaupt, DE
- Tlady's - A Guide to Rearing Mediterranean Tortoises, 28-page care booklet by Linda King, UK
- Tortoise Trust - care info for Mediterranean tortoises
- TPG - Tortoise Protection Group, Testudo graeca graeca caresheet, UK
- TPG - Tortoise Protection Group, Testudo graeca ibera (Ibera tortoise) caresheet, UK
Golden Greek tortoises
- Deer Fern Farm - Golden Greek Tortoise (T. terrestris / floweri), by Douglas Dix
- IUCN / SCC TFTSG - International Union for Conservation of Nature / Species Survival Commission, Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, Turtles of the World, 2011 Checklist
- Reptile Channel - Breeding Golden Greek Tortoises, by Douglas Dix, 2009
- Reptiles Magazine - Good as Gold, by Douglas Dix, Jul 2009
- Tarta Club Italia - Testudo graeca terrestris, by Elvio Giordano, Dec 2010, in Italian
- Tortoise Reserve - Health, husbandry, and captive breeding of Golden Greek Tortoises, by David S. Lee & Mike Lowe, 2007
- Tortoise Trust - The Mystery of the Golden Greeks, by A. C. Highfield, 2002
- World Chelonian Trust - Golden Greek Tortoise, Testudo graeca terrestris / Testudo graeca floweri, by Darrell Senneke, 2003
- World Chelonian Trust - What exactly is a Golden Greek? by Darrell Senneke & Torston Blanck, 2003
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