Testudo graeca
Greek tortoise
Similar to a Hermann’s tortoise: UVB, a basking zone, and weeds. Subspecies differ in size and in how damp they should be.
Legal status
- CITES II
Testudo graeca is recorded as CITES Appendix II under TESTUDINIDAE spp. in Appendix II, except Appendix I species. No EU annex letter was verified for this exact species in this record, so the annex field is empty. Confirm Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/966 before you import, sell, or rely on an annex. Not marked as an EU invasive alien species. Not marked venomous. Not named in 50 CFR 16.15. Testudo graeca is often discussed as EU Annex A, with Testudo hermanni. The annex field is empty here because this record does not copy an annex that was not re-read for this species. Confirm Regulation (EU) 2023/966 before you buy or rehome one. Check local rules before you keep, move, or rehome an animal. This record is not a permit and not legal advice.
Official sourceNot legal advice. Rules differ by country, and sometimes by region. Check the law that applies to you.
- Temperature
- 22–32°C
- Basking
- 32–35°C
- UVB
- Ferguson zone 3. About 1.0–2.6
- Humidity
- 40–60%
- Minimum enclosure
- A secure outdoor pen, or at least 120 × 60 cm indoors for a small adult. Subspecies such as ibera grow larger.
- Adult size
- Often 15–25 cm. Some subspecies are larger.
- Lifespan
- Many decades.
- Difficulty
- advanced
Diet and feeding
Weeds and greens. Not fruit as a staple, and not beans or dog food. Daily.
Substrate
Soil.
Health
Herpesvirus is a known concern in Mediterranean tortoises. Also pyramiding and metabolic bone disease.
Handling
Two hands under the shell.
Husbandry ranges are general guidance for captive care, not a veterinary prescription or a permit. Confirm the gradient with your own thermometers. UV zones follow Baines et al., Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 4(1), 2016, https://www.jzar.org/jzar/article/view/150. Legal fields use the source link on this species and stay empty when an annex was not verified.