as distinguish
The Testudo hermanni is characterized by a carapace strongly convex, usually along up to 25 cm, yellow or brown picture blacks.
E 'can be distinguished from two other European tortoises (Testudo graeca, Testudo marginata) on the basis the following characteristics:
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unlike Testudo graeca, Testudo hermanni has the end of the queue is protected by a horny case, as shown in the following photo
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not on the sides of the tail spurs characteristic of Testudo graeca;
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sopracaudali generally has 2 plates, unlike the only feature of plaque sopracaudale Testudo marginata and Testudo graeca
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reaches a maximum length of 25 cm, against 30 cm of Testudo graeca and 40 cm of Testudo marginata
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the carapace has a lighter color than the other two European species
The case and the 2 horny plates sopracaudali of Testudo hermanni
No case corneum and a plaque sopracaudale of Testudo graeca. Featured
spur thigh
If your tortoise is a Testudo hermanni, you can then find out which subspecies belongs, in fact there are two subspecies of Testudo hermanni:
- Testudo hermanni hermanni, the western subspecies, Testudo
- hermanni Boettger, the eastern subspecies;
To distinguish different characteristics must be considered:
- the appearance of the carapace: the Testudo hermanni Boettger has a carapace less lumpy and convex with yellowish-green color ; the Testudo hermanni hermanni is instead characterized by a brighter staining
- the plastron: Testudo hermanni hermanni in the frame plate are two black bands precisely defined in Testudo hermanni Boettger these bands are less defined and continuous
- dimensions: the Testudo hermanni hermanni reaches a maximum length of 15-20 cm, while Testudo hermanni Boettger is larger and can reach up to 25 cm
- the relationship between the pectoral suture (marked in red in the figure below) and the femoral suture (shown in green) in Testudo hermanni hermanni, the suture is shorter pectoral femoral suture, while in Testudo hermanni Boettger, this ratio is greater than one.
The plastron of Testudo hermanni hermanni and Testudo hermanni a Boettger: the femoral suture (green) is longer than the pectoral suture in Testudo hermanni hermanni, Testudo while in hermanni Boettger is the opposite. Also note the difference between the black bands.
Specimens from the two subspecies can breed with success, so many specimens, the fruits of repeated crossings, have characteristics of both subspecies and it is difficult to classify.
A smaller and smaller THB THH born the same day: note the difference in size
Males and females
I males differ from females:
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inguinal plates: in the male form a very open angle (obtuse) to their seam, unlike the females have an angle of about 90 °.
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the tail is long and wide
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size: males are smaller than the females
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the plastron: in males is concave
tail and tail of a male a female
In small, up to 4 years of age is not easy to determine the sex and generally refers to the opening of the inguinal plaques and the size of the queue.
Age
Age younger turtles can be calculated by counting the growth lines
horny plates on the carapace: each line corresponds to a growth phase of growth of the animal.
However, after a bit 'of years, the plates can be damaged corneas
or be replaced, so there is no accurate way to calculate the age of live specimens
adults.
Habits
The Testudo hermanni are primarily herbivores, but also feed on invertebrates and excrement.
The ideal temperature of Testudo hermanni is of 20-30 ° C. During the spring and autumn, the tortoises love the warm sun during the summer are active in the morning and late afternoon, during the hottest hours take refuge in shady places. Between November and March
hibernate in holes dug in the ground.
Two female Testudo hermanni Boettger
couplings take place throughout the period of activity and are quite bloody. The male chases the female, bites on the legs and repeatedly struck on the breastplate. During intercourse the male emits long "fiib.
Especially in this period, the males often fight each other, biting his legs and hit them with the armor. The aggressiveness of some males to other males or females can cause not only injuries but also dangerous conditions of stress.
Between May and July the female lays, even several times, from 3 to 10 eggs in holes that it digs into the ground in 2-3 hours. For hatching are generally takes 90 days.
Some specimens even after several years of captivity remain distrustful of man, while others, especially if born in captivity, spontaneously approach to man and also repair within homes.
The main predators are dogs, rats and birds of prey.
Some Testudo hermanni Boettger
A Boettger Testudo hermanni Testudo hermanni hermanni and an albina
( Photo courtesy of Ursula and Happy)
A Testudo graeca Iberia and a cross between Testudo graeca and Testudo marginata
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