Habitat and ecology
Testudo graeca hibernates during cold months, emerging as early as February in hot coastal areas. Individual tortoises may emerge during warm days even during winter.
Identification
The Greek tortoise (Testudo graeca), also known commonly as the spur-thighed tortoise or Moorish tortoise, is a species of tortoise in the family Testudinidae. The Greek tortoise is a very long-lived animal, achieving a lifespan upwards of 125 years, with some unverified reports up to 200 years. It has the largest known genome of all reptiles.
During mating, the female stays still, bracing herself with her front legs, moving the front part of her body to the left and right in the same rhythm as the male’s cries. One successful mating will allow the female to lay eggs multiple times.
