Common name: Greek Tortoise
Scientific name: Testudo graeca
Family: Testudinidae

Size:
Shell length: 15–25 cm
Weight: 1–2 kg

Identification:
A small to medium-sized tortoise with a domed shell that varies in color from yellowish to brown, often marked with dark patches or blotches. The shell pattern is highly variable between individuals. It has strong, sturdy limbs adapted for walking on land, and a relatively rounded carapace. One key feature is the presence of a spur (tubercle) on each thigh, which helps distinguish it from similar species.

Habitat:
Mediterranean environments including scrublands, dry grasslands, open woodlands, rocky slopes, and agricultural areas.

Status in Lebanon:
Native but declining. Populations are fragmented due to habitat loss and human pressure.

Diet:
Herbivorous — feeds mainly on grasses, leaves, flowers, and other vegetation.

Behavior:
Diurnal and slow-moving. Active mainly during cooler parts of the day, especially in spring and autumn. During extreme heat or cold, it may aestivate or hibernate. Solitary and generally quiet. Known for its longevity.

Conservation status:
Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)