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Indian/Sri Lankan Star Tortoise (G. elegans)
Burmese Star Tortoise
(G. platynota)
Other Starred Tortoises
Angulate Tortoise
(C. angulata)
Popular Tortoises
Box Turtles
Misc. Pages
Have Greek Tortoise photos, stories, or links to share for this page? Email me, or post a message on the bb or guestbook.
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Greek Tortoises
(Testudo graeca)
photo by stee (cc)
| Greek Tortoise quick facts |
- aka Mediterranean Spur-Thighed Tortoise
- Testudo graeca (T.g.) 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 subspecies listing, go to here [offsite link]
- T. g. graeca - Linnaeus 1758 (Greek tortoise)
- T.g. armeniaca - Chkhikvadze and Bakradze, 1991
- T.g. buxtoni - Boulenger, 1921
- T.g. cyrenaica - Pieh and Perälä, 2002
- T.g. ibera - Pallas, 1814
- T.g. lamberti - Pieh and Perälä, 2004
- T.g. marokkensis - Pieh and Perälä, 2004
- T.g. nabeulensis - Highfield, 1990
- T.g. soussensis - Pieh, 2001
- T.g. terrestris - Forsskål, 1775
- T.g. zarudnyi - Nikolsky, 1896
- some previous subspecies of T. g. have been elevated to full species status
- up to 5"-11"
- from southern Europe, Middle East, North Africa
- lives in semiarid and rocky plains
- likes to climb and dig
- outgoing, friendly, hardy, adapts to new environments
- requires same care as Hermann's and Russian Tortoises
- native to temperate (not tropical) regions
- should be kept outdoors during warm summer months
- large, open tubs or tortoise tables are best for indoor winter housing (non hibernating species)
- very popular pet tortoise
- hibernates yes/no depending on native area
- NOT to be confused with the huge (150+ lbs) African Spurred Tortoise (sulcata)
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| Greek Tortoise books |
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Mediterranean Tortoises
- by Lance Jepson
- Kingdom Books, Havant, 2006
- copies of this book are usually available at the above link
- ISBN-10: 1852792299
- ISBN-13: 978-1852792299
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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 Tortoise links |
Greek tortoises
- BCG - care sheet for
Mediterranean tortoises by British Chelonian Group
- Garden State Tortoise - inc. a photo gallery of Greeks
- Garden State Tortoise - differenciating Hermanns from Greek tortoises and differenciating Western Hermanns from Eastern Hermanns tortoises, at Webshots
- Garden State Tortoise - differentiating Hermanns, Greek, and Marginated tortoises, at SW bb
- Slowcoach - Mediterranean tortoises, UK
- 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
- The Tortoise Man - Greek & Marginated caresheet
- Tlady's - A Guide to Rearing Mediterranean Tortoises, 28-page care booklet by Linda King, UK
- Tortoise Trust - UK, care manual for Mediterranean tortoises, a pdf file
- TPG - Testudo graeca graeca caresheet, by Tortoise Protection Group, UK
- TPG - Testudo graeca ibera (Ibera tortoise) caresheet, by Tortoise Protection Group, UK
- The Turtle Source - photos and caresheet
Golden Greeks
- Deer Fern Farm - Golden Greeks (Testudo graeca terrestris), by Douglas Dix
- Reptile Channel - Breeding Golden Greek tortoises, by Douglas Dix
- Tortoise Reserve - Health, husbandry, and captive breeding of Golden Greek Tortoises, by David S. Lee & Mike Low
- Tortoise Trust - The mystery of the Golden Greeks, by A.C. Highfield
- World Chelonian Trust - Golden Greek Tortoise (Testudo graeca terrestris / Testudo graeca floweri), by Darrell Senneke
- World Chelonian Trust - What exactly is a Golden Greek? by Darrell Senneke & Torston Blanck
Discussion
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