Stats

Lifespan

Up to 100 yrs

Size

Medium

Diet

Herbivore

Activity

Diurnal

Social

Solitary

Biome

Mediterranean scrubland

Range

Southern Europe

Movement

Walking

Breeding

Egg-laying

Defense

Armor

Status

Uncommon

About

The largest European tortoise, reaching up to 35 cm and 5 kg, instantly recognised by its dramatically flared and serrated rear marginal scutes that fan outward like a saw-edged skirt.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   hatchling

   A coin-sized hatchling digs out of the nest and makes its own way to water or shelter.
2. 2.
   juvenile

   A juvenile turtle's shell hardens and grows yearly rings as it forages on its own.
3. 3.
   adult

   Fully grown with adult shell size and markings.

Learn more

• View on iNaturalist →
• Watch on YouTube →

Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Reptilia

Order

Testudines

Family

Testudinidae

Genus

Testudo

Species

Testudo marginata