Photo: Cristina Florentina Alistar
Mediterranean Tortoise
Testudo graeca
Mediterranean Tortoise — recorded from Georgia.
At a glance
Key facts in one look
Habitat
Terrestrial / freshwater
Length
Shell usually under 30 cm
Venom
None
Conservation
See IUCN
Family
Testudinidae
Overview
Who is Mediterranean Tortoise
Mediterranean Tortoise (Testudo graeca) is recorded from Georgia. It is listed as biologically confirmed in that checklist. This page summarises occurrence and general natural history from scientific sources; fine-scale districts are given only when explicitly supported.
Last updated
Gallery
Mediterranean Tortoise in photos
Identification
How to identify Mediterranean Tortoise
How to recognise Mediterranean Tortoise.
- 01
High-domed terrestrial tortoise shell.
- 02
Horny beak; no teeth.
- 03
Moves slowly on land — not a freshwater turtle.
Biology
Diet, behavior, and conservation
Diet
Mostly herbivorous — grasses, herbs and other plant material.
Behavior
Diurnal basking is common in aquatic turtles; tortoises are terrestrial and often most active in warm weather.
Conservation
Recorded in Georgia. Many turtles face habitat loss and collection pressure worldwide.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the most important questions about Mediterranean Tortoise.
Yes. It is among the 68 amphibians and reptiles formally recorded from Georgia.
Site classification: Harmless. Venom: None.
Mostly herbivorous — grasses, herbs and other plant material.
References
Sources & References
References
Sources & References
- Tarkhnishvili et al. 2026 — Annotated checklist of Georgia's amphibians and reptiles
- Iankoshvili & Tarkhnishvili 2021 — Georgian herpetofauna records cited in Tarkhnishvili et al. 2026
- The Reptile Database
- IUCN Red List
Species profiles are compiled from peer-reviewed literature and established biodiversity databases, and are reviewed as new taxonomic and conservation data become available.