Head to head
Spur-thighed Tortoise vs Hermann's Tortoise
Spur-thighed Tortoise
VS Hermann's Tortoise
The spur-thighed tortoise and Hermann's tortoise are two Mediterranean tortoises in the genus Testudo that are both popular in the pet trade and both under pressure in the wild.
| Spur-thighed Tortoise | Hermann's Tortoise | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Testudo graeca | Testudo hermanni |
| Relationship | A close relative of Hermann's tortoise, in the same genus | A close relative of the spur-thighed tortoise, in the same genus |
| Shell | A high, domed shell with yellow to olive plates marked with dark blotches | A moderately domed, oval shell typically with bold black markings over a yellow or tan background |
| Key feature | A pair of conical spurs on the back of the thighs | Males have a longer tail with a claw-like spur at the tip |
| Diet | Grasses, flowers, and low-growing plants, with the occasional snail or carrion | A wide range of grasses, weeds, flowers, and fallen fruit, with rare slugs or carrion |
| Dormancy | Shelters in burrows to avoid the heat of summer and the cold of winter | Hibernates in winter in cooler regions and may enter summer dormancy in the hottest, driest weather |
| Habitat and range | Dry scrub, grassland, and open woodland around the Mediterranean, in North Africa, southern Europe, and the Middle East | Dry forest, scrubland, and grassland in Mediterranean Europe, including parts of Spain, France, Italy, and the Balkans |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable, and decreasing | Near Threatened |
Spur-thighed Tortoise vs Hermann's Tortoise: common questions
How can you tell the two apart?
The spur-thighed tortoise has a pair of spurs on its thighs, while Hermann's tortoise has a claw-like spur at the tail tip and bolder black markings.
Which tortoise is more threatened?
The spur-thighed tortoise, which is Vulnerable, while Hermann's tortoise is Near Threatened.
Why are both declining?
Habitat loss and collection for the pet trade have affected both, and fires have hit the spur-thighed tortoise.