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Kingdom: Animalia > Phylum: Chordata > Class: Reptilia > Order: Testudines > Family: Testudinidae > Genus: Testudo > Species: Testudo graeca

Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise - Testudo graeca Linnaeus, 1758

Images from the web

Quick facts

Threat status Europe Vulnerable (IUCN)
Protected by EU Habitats Directive and 6 other international agreements
Natura 2000 sites 256 are designated for this species
Most preferred habitats
  • grassland
  • heathland and shrub
  • rivers and lakes
  • sparsely vegetated land
  • wetlands
Natura 2000 species code 1219

Distribution

The distribution map is currently disabled. A new map solution will soon become available. In the meantime, please consult other species distribution map providers listed in the Other resources panel below.

Threat and conservation status

IUCN Red List status of threatened species

The IUCN Red List threat status assesses the risk of extinction.

World

Vulnerable

Europe

Vulnerable

EU

Not evaluated

IUCN Red List Category
Not Evaluated
Near Threatened
Regionally Extinct
Not Applicable
Vulnerable
Extinct in the Wild
Data Deficient
Endangered
Extinct
Least Concern
Critically Endangered
Sources:

EU conservation status

Conservation status assesses every six years and for each biogeographical region the condition of habitats and species compared to the favourable status as described in the Habitats Directive. The map shows the 2013-2018 assessments as reported by EU Member State. Assessments are further detailed in the summary document available behind the link below.

Good: the species is viable and maintaining itself on a long-term basis, its natural range is not reduced, and it has a sufficient large habitat.
Poor: the species is not as critical as being unfavourable-bad, but still requires significant conservation and restoration measure to make it viable in the long-term, or to enlarged its current range, or to improve the quality and availability of its habitat.
Bad: the species is either not maintaining itself on a long-term basis and is not viable, or its natural range as been or is being drastically reduced, or its habitat is largely insufficient; the species requires major conservation and restoration measures.
Unknown: the information available for the species is scarce and does not allow a proper assessment of its conservation status.
Sources:

Natura 2000 sites

Protected in the following Natura 2000 sites

Sitecode Country Site name Action
ES0000024 Spain Doñana Map
ES0000074 Spain Cap de cala Figuera Map
ES0000261 Spain Almenara-Moreras-Cabo Cope Map
ES0000262 Spain Sierras del Gigante-Pericay, Lomas del Buitre-Río Luchena y Sierra de la Torrecilla Map
ES0000264 Spain La Muela-Cabo Tiñoso Map
ES5310024 Spain La Mola Map
ES6110002 Spain Karst en Yesos de Sorbas Map
ES6310001 Spain Calamocarro-Benzú Map
GR1260002 Greece EKVOLES POTAMOU STRYMONA Map
GR1270004 Greece LIMNOTHALASSA AGIOU MAMA Map
BG0000298 Bulgaria Konyavska planina Map
ES6110005 Spain Sierra de Cabrera-Bédar Map
GR1220003 Greece STENA RENTINAS – EVRYTERI PERIOCHI SPILAIO DRAKOTRYPA- SPILAIO LAKKIA KAI REMA NEROMANA Map
BG0000618 Bulgaria Vidima Map
BG0000578 Bulgaria Reka Maritsa Map
GR1260007 Greece ORI VRONTOUS - LAILIAS – ERIMIKES SPILAIA ZESTA NERA KAI KATARRAKTON Map
GR4210008 Greece KOS: AKROTIRIO LOUROS - LIMNI PSALIDI - OROS DIKAIOS - ALYKI - PARAKTIA THALASSIA ZONI Map
BG0000289 Bulgaria Trilistnik Map
BG0000436 Bulgaria Reka Mechka Map
GR1250003 Greece OROS TITAROS Map
BG0000441 Bulgaria Reka Blatnitsa Map
BG0000119 Bulgaria Trite bratya Map
GR1430004 Greece ETHNIKO THALASSIO PARKO ALONNISOU – VOREION SPORADON, ANATOLIKI SKOPELOS Map
ES6200046 Spain Sierra de Enmedio Map
BG0000304 Bulgaria Golak Map
BG0000136 Bulgaria Reka Gorna Luda Kamchia Map
BG0000141 Bulgaria Reka Kamchia Map
BG0000396 Bulgaria Persina Map
GR2420004 Greece MEGALO KAI MIKRO LIVARI - DELTA XERIA - YDROCHARES DASOS AG. NIKOLAOU - PARAKTIA THALASSIA ZONI Map
ES6110012 Spain Sierras Almagrera, de Los Pinos y El Aguilón Map
BG0001013 Bulgaria Skrino Map
BG0000421 Bulgaria Preslavska planina Map
BG0000270 Bulgaria Atanasovsko ezero Map
BG0000173 Bulgaria Ostrovche Map
BG0000616 Bulgaria Mikre Map
BG0001012 Bulgaria Zemen Map
ROSCI0071 Romania Dumbrăveni - Valea Urluia - Lacul Vederoasa Map
ES6110011 Spain Sierra del Alto de Almagro Map
BG0001011 Bulgaria Osogovska planina Map
BG0000593 Bulgaria Bilernitsite Map
GR1150010 Greece DELTA NESTOU KAI LIMNOTHALASSES KERAMOTIS - EVRYTERI PERIOCHI KAI PARAKTIA ZONI Map
ROSCI0012 Romania Brațul Măcin Map
BG0001007 Bulgaria Strandzha Map
GR1270005 Greece OROS STRATONIKON - KORYFI SKAMNI Map
BG0001036 Bulgaria Balgarski izvor Map
BG0000282 Bulgaria Dryanovska reka Map
ES6200035 Spain Sierra de Almenara Map
BG0000611 Bulgaria Yazovir Gorni Dabnik Map
BG0000107 Bulgaria Suha reka Map
BG0001014 Bulgaria Karlukovo Map
BG0000516 Bulgaria Chernata mogila Map
BG0001389 Bulgaria Sredna gora Map
GR1430002 Greece KOURI ALMYROU - AGIOS SERAFEIM Map
BG0000241 Bulgaria Srebarna Map
BG0000167 Bulgaria Belasitsa Map
BG0000444 Bulgaria Reka Pyasachnik Map
BG0000171 Bulgaria Ludogorie - Boblata Map
BG0000377 Bulgaria Kalimok - Brashlen Map
BG0000214 Bulgaria Dryanovski manastir Map
BG0000212 Bulgaria Sakar Map
GR1320001 Greece LIMNI KASTORIAS Map
ITB041111 Italy Monte Linas - Marganai Map
ES6200034 Spain Lomas del Buitre y Río Luchena Map
GR1220001 Greece LIMNES VOLVI KAI LAGKADA – EVRYTERI PERIOCHI Map
BG0000151 Bulgaria Aytoska planina Map
BG0000217 Bulgaria Zhdreloto na reka Tundzha Map
ITB040021 Italy Costa di Cagliari Map
BG0000180 Bulgaria Boblata Map
BG0000418 Bulgaria Kermenski vazvishenia Map
GR1130009 Greece LIMNES KAI LIMNOTHALASSES TIS THRAKIS - EVRYTERI PERIOCHI KAI PARAKTIA ZONI Map
BG0001039 Bulgaria Popintsi Map
GR4110004 Greece LESVOS: KOLPOS KALLONIS KAI CHERSAIA PARAKTIA ZONI Map
BG0000429 Bulgaria Reka Stryama Map
BG0001386 Bulgaria Yadenitsa Map
BG0000335 Bulgaria Karaboaz Map
BG0000133 Bulgaria Kamchiyska i Emenska planina Map
BG0000382 Bulgaria Shumensko plato Map
ES6200031 Spain Cabo Cope Map
ES6200044 Spain Sierra de los Victorias Map
ITB032239 Italy San Giovanni di Sinis Map
BG0000613 Bulgaria Reka Iskar Map
ES6110017 Spain Río Antas Map
BG0000104 Bulgaria Provadiysko - Royaksko plato Map
BG0000528 Bulgaria Ostrovska step - Vadin Map
BG0000138 Bulgaria Kamenitsa Map
BG0000294 Bulgaria Karshalevo Map
BG0000130 Bulgaria Kraymorska Dobrudzha Map
GR1120005 Greece AISTHITIKO DASOS NESTOU Map
BG0000402 Bulgaria Bakadzhitsite Map
BG0000434 Bulgaria Banska reka Map
GR1260004 Greece KORYFES OROUS MENOIKION – OROS KOUSKOURAS - YPSOMA -SPILAIO PELADE Map
ES6320002 Spain Barranco del Nano Map
BG0000230 Bulgaria Fakiyska reka Map
GR1110005 Greece VOUNA EVROU- POTAMOS LYRAS- SPILAIA DIDYMOTEICHOU KAI KEFALOVOUNOU Map
ROSCI0073 Romania Dunele marine de la Agigea Map
BG0000240 Bulgaria Studenets Map
BG0000132 Bulgaria Pobitite kamani Map
BG0000500 Bulgaria Voynitsa Map
BG0000279 Bulgaria Stara reka Map
GR4110002 Greece AGIOS EFSTRATIOS KAI PARAKTIA THALASSIA ZONI Map
BG0000106 Bulgaria Harsovska reka Map
BG0000487 Bulgaria Bozhite mostove Map
BG0000569 Bulgaria Kardam Map
BG0000149 Bulgaria Rishki prohod Map
BG0000440 Bulgaria Reka Sokolitsa Map
GR2310009 Greece LIMNES TRICHONIDA KAI LYSIMACHEIA Map
ITB030080 Italy Isola di Mal di Ventre e Catalano Map
BG0000608 Bulgaria Lomovete Map
BG0000513 Bulgaria Voynishki Bakadzhik Map
BG0000198 Bulgaria Sredetska reka Map
BG0000181 Bulgaria Reka Vit Map
BG0000280 Bulgaria Zlatarishka reka Map
BG0000275 Bulgaria Yazovir Stamboliyski Map
BG0000196 Bulgaria Reka Mochuritsa Map
BG0000209 Bulgaria Pirin Map
BG0001040 Bulgaria Zapadna Stara planina i Predbalkan Map
BG0000219 Bulgaria Derventski vazvishenia 2 Map
BG0000399 Bulgaria Bulgarka Map
BG0000401 Bulgaria Sveti Iliyski vazvishenia Map
BG0000424 Bulgaria Reka Vacha - Trakia Map
BG0000523 Bulgaria Shishentsi Map
BG0000291 Bulgaria Gora Shishmantsi Map
BG0000139 Bulgaria Luda Kamchia Map
BG0000494 Bulgaria Tsentralen Balkan Map
BG0000425 Bulgaria Reka Sazliyka Map
BG0000117 Bulgaria Kotlenska planina Map
ES6200040 Spain Cabezos del Pericón Map
GR1420010 Greece STENA KALAMAKIOU Map
BG0000438 Bulgaria Reka Chinardere Map
GR4110005 Greece LESVOS KOLPOS GERAS, ELOS NTIPI KAI OROS OLYMPOS – POTAMOS EVERGETOULAS Map
BG0000211 Bulgaria Tvardishka planina Map
ES6200023 Spain Sierra de la Tercia Map
BG0001030 Bulgaria Rodopi - Zapadni Map
ES6110016 Spain Rambla de Arejos Map
GR2530005 Greece ORI GERANEIA Map
BG0000572 Bulgaria Rositsa - Loznitsa Map
BG0000213 Bulgaria Tarnovski visochini Map
BG0000195 Bulgaria Reka Tundzha 2 Map
BG0000206 Bulgaria Sadievo Map
BG0000178 Bulgaria Ticha Map
GR4130001 Greece VOREIA CHIOS KAI NISOI OINOUSSES KAI PARAKTIA THALASSIA ZONI Map
BG0000366 Bulgaria Kresna - Ilindentsi Map
BG0000426 Bulgaria Reka Luda Yana Map
GR1150005 Greece GR1150005 KORYFES OROUS PANGAIO – PIGAIA NERA KEFALARIOU FILIPPON- SPILAIO ARKOUDOSPILIA Map
BG0000393 Bulgaria Ekokoridor Kamchia - Emine Map
GR1220002 Greece DELTA AXIOU - LOUDIA - ALIAKMONA – EVRYTERI PERIOCHI - AXIOUPOLI Map
BG0000242 Bulgaria Zaliv Chengene skele Map
BG0000570 Bulgaria Izvorovo - Kraishte Map
BG0000420 Bulgaria Grebenets Map
GR1260005 Greece KORYFES OROUS ORVILOS Map
BG0002018 Bulgaria Ostrov Vardim Map
BG0000615 Bulgaria Devetashko plato Map
BG0000143 Bulgaria Karaagach Map
ROSCI0065 Romania Delta Dunării Map
GR4110001 Greece LIMNOS: CHORTAROLIMNI - LIMNI ALYKI KAI THALASSIA PERIOCHI Map
BG0001034 Bulgaria Ostar kamak Map
BG0000374 Bulgaria Bebresh Map
BG0000263 Bulgaria Skalsko Map
BG0000166 Bulgaria Vrachanski Balkan Map
BG0000169 Bulgaria Ludogorie - Srebarna Map
BG0000247 Bulgaria Nikopolsko plato Map
BG0001022 Bulgaria Oranovski prolom - Leshko Map
ROSCI0060 Romania Dealurile Agighiolului Map
BG0000146 Bulgaria Plazh Gradina - Zlatna ribka Map
ES6200022 Spain Sierra del Gigante Map
BG0000254 Bulgaria Besaparski vazvishenia Map
ROSCI0172 Romania Pădurea și Valea Canaraua Fetii - Iortmac Map
ITB030038 Italy Stagno di Putzu Idu (Salina Manna e Pauli Marigosa) Map
BG0000567 Bulgaria Gora Blatets Map
ES5310079 Spain Puig de na Bauçà Map
GR1130006 Greece POTAMOS FILIOURIS Map
ITB041105 Italy Foresta di Monte Arcosu Map
GR4110003 Greece LESVOS: DYTIKI CHERSONISOS - APOLITHOMENO DASOS Map
ROSCI0201 Romania Podișul Nord Dobrogean Map
BG0000281 Bulgaria Reka Belitsa Map
BG0000239 Bulgaria Obnova - Karaman dol Map
BG0000365 Bulgaria Ovchi halmove Map
BG0000610 Bulgaria Reka Yantra Map
GR4120001 Greece SAMOS: PARALIA ALYKI Map
ES5310080 Spain Puigpunyent Map
BG0000530 Bulgaria Pozharevo - Garvan Map
BG0000372 Bulgaria Tsigansko gradishte Map
BG0000216 Bulgaria Emen Map
ROSCI0022 Romania Canaralele Dunării Map
ROSCI0149 Romania Pădurea Eseschioi - Lacul Bugeac Map
ROSCI0123 Romania Munții Măcinului Map
GR1110004 Greece FENGARI SAMOTHRAKIS, ANATOLIKES AKTES, VRACHONISSIDA ZOURAFA KAI THALASSIA ZONI Map
BG0001375 Bulgaria Ostritsa Map
BG0000273 Bulgaria Burgasko ezero Map
ITB040023 Italy Stagno di Cagliari, Saline di Macchiareddu, Laguna di Santa Gilla Map
BG0000190 Bulgaria Vitata stena Map
BG0001001 Bulgaria Ropotamo Map
ES6200047 Spain Sierra de la Torrecilla Map
ROSCI0083 Romania Fântânița Murfatlar Map
ITB040022 Italy Stagno di Molentargius e territori limitrofi Map
GR1130007 Greece POTAMOS KOMPSATOS (NEA KOITI) Map
ITB030034 Italy Stagno di Mistras di Oristano Map
BG0000435 Bulgaria Reka Kayaliyka Map
BG0000507 Bulgaria Deleyna Map
BG0000261 Bulgaria Yazovir Koprinka Map
BG0000609 Bulgaria Reka Rositsa Map
BG0001032 Bulgaria Rodopi - Iztochni Map
BG0000432 Bulgaria Golyama reka Map
ES6200015 Spain La Muela y Cabo Tiñoso Map
BG0000621 Bulgaria Ezero Shabla - Ezerets Map
ES6200012 Spain Calnegre Map
BG0001031 Bulgaria Rodopi - Sredni Map
BG0000602 Bulgaria Kabiyuk Map
GR1270002 Greece OROS ITAMOS - SITHONIA Map
BG0000164 Bulgaria Sinite kamani Map
BG0000522 Bulgaria Vidinski park Map
BG0000576 Bulgaria Svishtovska gora Map
ES6200039 Spain Cabezo de la Jara y Rambla de Nogalte Map
BG0001033 Bulgaria Brestovitsa Map
BG0000287 Bulgaria Merichlerska reka Map
ES6200011 Spain Sierra de las Moreras Map
GR1110007 Greece DELTA EVROU KAI DYTIKOS VRACHIONAS Map
BG0000255 Bulgaria Gradinska gora Map
BG0000168 Bulgaria Ludogorie Map
BG0000495 Bulgaria Rila Map
GR1410001 Greece PERIOCHI LIMNIS TAVROPOU Map
ITB032228 Italy Is Arenas Map
GR1260001 Greece LIMNI KERKINI - KROUSIA - KORYFES OROUS BELES, ANGISTRO - CHAROPO Map
BG0000574 Bulgaria Aheloy - Ravda - Nesebar Map
GR1250004 Greece ALYKI KITROUS - EVRYTERI PERIOCHI Map
BG0000224 Bulgaria Ograzhden - Maleshevo Map
BG0000233 Bulgaria Studena reka Map
BG0000208 Bulgaria Bosna Map
BG0000442 Bulgaria Reka Martinka Map
GR1270001 Greece OROS CHOLOMONTAS Map
ITB010002 Italy Stagno di Pilo e di Casaraccio Map
BG0000118 Bulgaria Zlatni pyasatsi Map
BG0000192 Bulgaria Reka Tundzha 1 Map
BG0000205 Bulgaria Straldzha Map
ROSCI0157 Romania Pădurea Hagieni - Cotul Văii Map
ITB030035 Italy Stagno di Sale 'e Porcus Map
ITB013012 Italy Stagno di Pilo, Casaraccio e Saline di Stintino Map
ROSCI0215 Romania Recifii Jurasici Cheia Map
BG0000154 Bulgaria Ezero Durankulak Map
BG0000218 Bulgaria Derventski vazvishenia 1 Map
BG0001021 Bulgaria Reka Mesta Map
BG0000103 Bulgaria Galata Map
BG0000102 Bulgaria Dolinata na reka Batova Map
BG0001493 Bulgaria Tsentralen Balkan - bufer Map
BG0000100 Bulgaria Plazh Shkorpilovtsi Map
BG0001028 Bulgaria Sreden Pirin - Alibotush Map
BG0000116 Bulgaria Kamchia Map
BG0001004 Bulgaria Emine - Irakli Map
BG0000271 Bulgaria Mandra - Poda Map
BG0000573 Bulgaria Kompleks Kaliakra Map
BG0000220 Bulgaria Dolna Mesta Map
BG0001023 Bulgaria Rupite - Strumeshnitsa Map
BG0000623 Bulgaria Taushan tepe Map
BG0000137 Bulgaria Reka Dolna Luda Kamchia Map
BG0000628 Bulgaria Chirpanski vazvishenia Map
ROSCI0412 Romania Ivrinezu Map

Protected sites

Please note the site map takes a while to display.

Legal status

Legal text Annex Conditions More information
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007 (EU Habitats Directive) http://ec.europa.eu/environm...rective/index_en.htm
Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats (Bern Convention) http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cul.../bern/default_en.asp
https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc....ckColorLogged=FDC864

Resolution No. 6 (1998) of the Bern Convention lists the species requiring specific habitat conservation measures [and the designation of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) forming for the Emerald network]
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Synonym for this species is listed in CITES. See there for more details. http://www.cites.org/eng
This species or synonym as such is not listed in CITES, but whole Family TESTUDINIDAE is concerned by Appendix II (Except the species included in Appendix I).
Commission regulation (EU) No 1320/2014, of 1 December 2014, amending Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein (EU regulation of trade of fauna and flora) http://ec.europa.eu/environm...s/legislation_en.htm

Common names and synonyms

Common Name Language Reference
Maurische Landschildkröte German Gasc J.P. and al.
Maurisk landskildpadde Danish EC-DGXI.d2, ETC/NC
Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise English Gasc J.P. and al.
Moorse landschildpad Dutch EC-DGXI.d2, ETC/NC
Spur-thighed Mediterranean land Tortoise English EC-DGXI.d2, ETC/NC
Spur-thighed Tortoise English EC-DGXI.d2, ETC/NC
Tartaruga grega Portuguese EC-DGXI.d2, ETC/NC
Testuggine greca Italian EC-DGXI.d2, ETC/NC
Tortue grecque French Gasc J.P. and al.
Tortue mauresque French EC-DGXI.d2, ETC/NC
Tortuga mora Spanish Gasc J.P. and al.
Synonym Author
Testudo pusilla Linnaeus, 1766
Testudo mauritanica Duméril & Bibron, 1835
Testudo ibera Gervais, 1836
Testudo whitei Bennet, 1836
Testudo graeca nikolskii

Other resources

Fauna Europaea Fauna Europaea
GBIF Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Habitats Directive Art. 17-2006 summary
ITIS (Valid name) Interagency Taxonomic Information System
NCBI search National Center for Biotechnology Information
NOBANIS: Testudo graeca European Network on Invasive Alien Species
PESI (Accepted) Pan-European Species directories Infrastructure
Species+ Species+ by UNEP-WCMC
Wikipedia Wikipedia

External data

Reportnet deliveries

Files delivered through Reportnet with relevance to this species.

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