# Hermann's Tortoise

*Testudo hermanni*

This tortoise has a unique, horny scale at the tip of its tail that looks like a small claw or spur.

- **Taxonomy:** Animalia › Chordata › Reptilia › Testudines › Testudinidae › Testudo
- **IUCN Red List status:** Near Threatened
- **Population trend:** decreasing
- **Biome:** grassland
- **Habitat:** Mediterranean scrublands (maquis and garrigue), open oak and pine forests, and dry grasslands.
- **Diet:** Primarily herbivorous, consuming wild grasses, clover, dandelions, and succulents; occasionally eats snails or carrion.
- **Range:** Italy, Greece, France, Spain, Balkan Peninsula, Turkey
- **Size:** 13-28 cm in length; 2-4 kg in weight.
- **Lifespan:** 30 to 50 years in the wild, often exceeding 70 years.
- **Active:** diurnal
- **Threats:** Habitat fragmentation, urbanization, devastating wildfires, and illegal collection for the pet trade.
- **Safe to approach?:** Harmless and docile. Observe from a distance to avoid causing stress. Do not pick them up; tortoises may void their bladder in fear, losing critical hydration. If found on a road, gently move it to the side in the direction it was already traveling. If bitten (extremely rare), wash the area with soap and water.

## About

Hermann's tortoise ( Testudo hermanni ) is one of five tortoise species traditionally placed in the genus Testudo , the others being the marginated tortoise ( T. marginata ), Greek tortoise ( T. graeca , or spur-thighed tortoise), Russian tortoise ( T. horsfieldii ), and Kleinmann's tortoise ( T. kleinmanni , or Egyptian tortoise). Two subspecies are known: the western Hermann's tortoise ( T. h. hermanni ) and the eastern Hermann's tortoise ( T. h. boettgeri ). Sometimes mentioned as a subspecies, T. h. peleponnesica is not...

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/99b8153e-f752-4d2b-ae30-45c005265b7c
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/71212
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testudo hermanni
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/10917334/medium.jpg (Drepanostoma, CC-BY, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.