Types of land turtles. Types of land turtles Endangered species of turtles

A turtle is an animal of the chordate type, class Reptiles, order Tortoise (Testudines). These animals have existed on planet Earth for more than 220 million years.

The tortoise got its Latin name from the word “testa”, meaning “brick”, “tile” or “clay vessel”. The Russian analogue came from the Proto-Slavic word čerpaxa, which in turn came from the modified Old Slavic word “čerpъ”, “shard”.

Turtle - description, characteristics and photographs

turtle shell

A characteristic feature of turtles is the presence of a shell, which is designed to protect the animal from natural enemies. turtle shell consists of a dorsal (carapace) and abdominal (plastron) part. The strength of this protective cover is such that it can easily withstand a load exceeding the weight of the turtle by 200 times. The carapace consists of two parts: internal armor made of bone plates, and external armor made of horny scutes. In some species of turtles, the bony plates are covered with thick skin. The plastron was formed due to the fused and ossified sternum, clavicles and abdominal ribs.

Depending on the species, the size and weight of the turtle vary significantly.

Among these animals there are giants weighing more than 900 kg with a carapace size of 2.5 meters or more, but there are small turtles whose body weight does not exceed 125 grams and whose shell length is only 9.7-10 cm.

Head and eyes of a turtle

Turtle head It has a streamlined shape and medium size, which allows you to quickly hide it inside a safe shelter. However, there are species with large heads that fit poorly or not at all into the shell. In some representatives of the genus, the tip of the muzzle looks like a kind of “proboscis” ending in nostrils.

Due to the peculiarities of the way of life on land, the turtle's eyes look at the ground. In aquatic representatives of the order they are located closer to the top of the head and directed forward and upward.

The neck of most turtles is short, however, in some species it can be comparable to the length of the carapace.

Does a turtle have teeth? How many teeth does a turtle have?

To bite and grind food, turtles use a hard and powerful beak, the surface of which is covered with rough bulges that replace teeth. Depending on the type of food, they can be razor-sharp (in predators) or with jagged edges (in herbivores). The ancient turtles that lived 200 million years ago, unlike modern individuals, had real teeth. The tongue of turtles is short and serves only for swallowing, and not for capturing food, so it does not stick out.

Limbs and tail of turtles

A turtle has a total of 4 legs. The structure and functions of the limbs depend on the animal’s lifestyle. Species that live on land have flattened forelimbs adapted for digging and powerful hind legs. Freshwater turtles are characterized by the presence of leathery membranes between the toes on all four paws that facilitate swimming. In sea turtles, during the process of evolution, the limbs have been transformed into a kind of flippers, and the size of the front ones is much larger than the back ones.

Almost all turtles have a tail, which, like the head, is hidden inside the shell. In some species it ends in a nail-shaped or pointed spine.

Turtles have well-developed color vision, which helps them find food, and excellent hearing, which allows them to hear enemies at a considerable distance.

Turtles molt, like many reptiles. In land species, molting affects the skin in small amounts; in aquatic turtles, molting occurs unnoticed.

During molting, transparent shields peel off from the shell, and the skin from the paws and neck comes off in rags.

Lifespan of a turtle natural conditions can reach 180-250 years. When winter cold or summer drought sets in, turtles go into hibernation, the duration of which can exceed six months.

Due to the weakly expressed sexual characteristics of turtles, it is very difficult to determine which of the animals is a “boy” and which is a “girl”. However, if you approach the issue carefully, having studied some of the external and behavioral characteristics of these exotic and interesting reptiles, then finding out their gender will not seem such a difficult matter.

• Carapace

In the female it usually has a more elongated, elongated shape compared to the male.

• Plastron (lower part of the shell)

Turn the turtle over and look at it carefully - the shell on the side of the abdomen closer to the anus in female turtles is flat, in males it is slightly concave (by the way, this nuance facilitates the mating process).

• Tail

Male turtles have a tail that is slightly longer, wider and thicker at the base, most often curved down. The tail of the “young ladies” is short and straight.

• Anal opening (cloaca)

In females it is located somewhat closer to the tip of the tail, shaped like an asterisk or a circle compressed on the sides. In male turtles, the anus has a narrow oblong or slit shape.

• Claws

In almost all species, except the leopard tortoise, the claws of males on the forelimbs are longer than those of females.

• Notch at the tail

Males have a V-shaped notch in the back of their shell, which is necessary for turtles to mate.

• Behavior

Male turtles are often more active, and in mating season They are distinguished by their aggressiveness towards their opponent and towards the “lady of their heart”, they chase her, trying to bite her, and nod their heads funny. At this time, the female can calmly watch the “courtship”, hiding her head in her shell.

• Some species of turtles have specific differences between females and males, such as color, size or head shape.

Types of turtles - photos and descriptions

The tortoise order consists of two suborders, divided by the way the animal retracts its head into its shell:

• Hidden-necked turtles, folding their necks in the shape of the Latin letter “S”;
• Side-necked turtles, hiding their head towards one of their front legs.

According to the habitat of turtles, there is the following classification:

• Sea turtles (live in seas and oceans)
• Terrestrial turtles (live on land or in fresh water)
  • Land turtles
  • Freshwater turtles

In total, there are more than 328 species of turtles, forming 14 families.

Types of land turtles

• Galapagos tortoise (elephant) (Chelonoidis elephantopus)

The length of the shell of these turtles can reach 1.9 meters, and the weight of the turtle can exceed 400 kg. The size of the animal and the shape of its shell depend on the climate. In arid areas, the carapace is saddle-shaped, and the limbs of the reptile are long and thin. The weight of large males rarely exceeds 50 kg. In humid climate the shape of the dorsal shell becomes dome-shaped, and the size of the animal increases significantly. The elephant turtle lives on Galapagos Islands.

• Egyptian tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni)

minor representative land turtles. The size of the carapace of males barely reaches 10 cm, females are slightly larger. The color of the shell of this type of turtle is brown-yellow with a small border along the edges of the horny scutes. The Egyptian tortoise lives in northern Africa and the Middle East.

• Central Asian tortoise (Testudo (Agrionemys) horsfieldii)

a small reptile with a shell size of up to 20 cm. The carapace has a rounded shape and is colored yellowish-brown with darker spots of uncertain shape. These turtles have 4 toes on their forelimbs. The most popular type of turtle for home keeping, lives about 40-50 years. Lives in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria, northeastern Iran, northwestern Pakistan and India.

• Leopard tortoise (panther tortoise) (Geochelone pardalis)

The carapace length of this turtle exceeds 0.7 m, and the weight can reach 50 kg. The shell of this type of turtle is high and dome-shaped. Its color has sandy-yellow tones, on which in young individuals a spotted pattern of black or dark brown is clearly visible, disappearing as they grow older. This species of turtle lives in African countries.

• Cape speckled tortoise ( Homopus Signatus)

the world's smallest turtle. The length of its carapace does not exceed 10 cm, and its weight reaches 95-165 grams. Lives in South Africa and southern Namibia.

Types of freshwater turtles

• Painted turtle (decorated turtle) (Chrysemys picta)

A rather small species of turtles with individual sizes ranging from 10 to 25 cm. The upper part of the oval dorsal shell has a smooth surface, and its color can be either olive green or black. The skin has the same color, but with different stripes of red or yellow tone. They have leathery membranes between their toes. Lives in Canada and the USA.

• European marsh turtle (Emys orbicularis)

The size of individuals can reach up to 35 cm and weight 1.5 kg. The smooth, oval carapace is movably connected to the plastron and has a slightly convex shape. Representatives of this species have a very long tail (up to 20 cm). The color of the upper shell is brown or olive. The skin color is dark with yellow spots. The turtle lives in European countries, the Caucasus, and Asian countries.

• Red-eared turtle (yellow-bellied turtle) (Trachemys scripta)

The shell of these turtles can be up to 30 cm long. Its coloring is bright green in young individuals, over time it turns into yellow-brown or olive. Next to the eyes on the head there are two spots of yellow, orange or red. This feature gave the species its name. lives in the USA, Canada, the northwest South America(in the north of Venezuela and Colombia).

• Snapping turtle (biting) (Chelydra serpentina)

A characteristic feature of a turtle is a cross-shaped plastron and a long tail, which is covered with scales with small spines, as well as the skin of the head and neck. The shell dimensions of these turtles can reach 35 cm, and the weight of an adult animal can be 30 kg. The snapping turtle waits out unfavorable conditions in hibernation. This turtle lives in the USA and southeastern Canada.

Types of sea turtles

• Hawksbill turtle (true carriage) (Eretmochelys imbricata)

The carapace of these turtles is heart-shaped and up to 0.9 m in size. The upper layer of the shell is painted in brown tones with a pattern of multi-colored spots. In young individuals, the horny plates overlap each other like tiles, but as it grows, the overlap disappears. The front flippers of the animal are equipped with two claws. The hawksbill lives both in the latitudes of the northern hemisphere and in southern countries.

• Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)

this is the largest turtle in the world. The span of its front flipper-like limbs reaches 2.5 meters, the mass of reptiles is more than 900 kg, and the dimensions of the shell exceed 2.6 m. The surface of the upper shell is covered not with keratinized plates, but with dense skin, for which the species received its name. The turtle lives in tropical areas of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans.

• Green turtle (soup turtle) (Chelonia mydas)

The weight of the turtle ranges from 70 to 450 kg, and the size of the shell is from 80 to 150 cm. The color of the skin and carapace can be either olive with a green tint or dark brown with various spots and stripes of white or yellow. The turtle's shell is short and oval in shape, and its surface is covered with large horny scutes. Because of big size These reptiles’ heads do not hide it inside. The green turtle lives in tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Number of sources used in this article: . You will find a list of them at the bottom of the page.

If you have a turtle, it may be helpful to know what gender it is. However, unlike many mammals, turtles (which are not actually mammals) do not have external genitalia. This makes gender determination more difficult task, which, however, can still be dealt with. It will be easier for you to determine the sex of a turtle if you take two turtles of different sexes for comparison. If you only have one turtle, you will need to study as many characteristics of the male and female turtles as possible to determine the sex.

Look at the turtle's shell. Turtles' shells, or shells, differ slightly depending on the sex. The shell of an adult male has a more elongated shape compared to the shell of an adult female.

• When determining the sex of a turtle, this method can be quite limited because you must ensure that the turtle has reached sexual maturity. You may think it is a male, but in fact it turns out that the turtle has not yet reached sexual maturity.
• There may be differences in size between a large male and a small female, which may make it impossible to determine the sex, especially if you have one individual.

1. Examine the turtle's plastron. The plastron is the lower (ventral) part of the shell. To examine the plastron, carefully turn the turtle over so the plastron is facing up. They don't like to be upside down and may try to bite, so hold the turtle by the edges of its shell near its tail so it doesn't reach you. Carefully turn the turtle over and look at the plastron. The male's plastron is slightly concave (bends inward), while the female's is flat.

   • The concave plastron of the male turtle allows the animal to rest on the female during mating.
   • The flat shape of the female plastron is associated with the need to bear eggs.

2. Check to see if the turtle's tail has a notch. The male turtle has a V-shaped notch in the back of his shell. The notch for the tail is necessary for the turtles to mate. Otherwise, the tail may be pressed against the plastron.

   Look at the species features. Some types of turtles have characteristic sexual differences in color:

   • American Box Turtle: In 90% of cases, males have red or orange irises, while females have brown or yellow irises. Additionally, females have a taller, domed, rounded shell, while the male has a more flattened, oval or oblong-shaped shell.
   • Painted turtle: if the turtle's plastron of blue color, it is a male, and if the plastron is a color other than blue, then it is a female.

   Detailed Features

   1. Examine the turtle's claws. Male turtles use their claws when mating with females. They also use their claws to fight and defend their territory. Thus, the claws on the front paws of males tend to be longer than those of females. Again, this is more obvious when you have two turtles of different sexes to compare against each other.

      • The red swamp turtle has a pronounced difference between the claws of the male and female.

   2. Look at the turtle's cloaca. Males and females have a hole located at the bottom of the tail. It is called the cloaca; its location depends on gender.

      • The female's cloaca is rounder and star-shaped. It is located close to the body, almost under the shell.
      • The male's cloaca is longer and larger. It is located in the last third of the tail towards its tip.
   3. • To determine the sex of a turtle using this method, you must know the size of the tail of the male or female. Otherwise, this method may not be reliable.

   4. Combine multiple features to make a conclusion. You can fairly accurately determine the sex of a turtle if you evaluate all the characteristics described above and analyze them together. Keep in mind that some signs are less reliable than others for determining the sex of a turtle.

   • Drawings or photographs will help you analyze the cloaca. For this, for example, there is a very convenient and good book “Turtles. Contents, diseases and treatment” by D. Vasiliev.
   • There are many species of sea turtles (including Atlantic ridleys, Kemp's sea turtles, and others) that do not have external sexual characteristics. Talk to a marine veterinarian to find out what gender your turtle is.

   Warnings

   Sources

   Article information

   This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and the care of companion animals. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. He has been working at the same animal clinic in his hometown for over 20 years.

One of the ancient turtles, Myolania, reached a length of 5 m. 11 families of turtles (out of 26), united into 2 suborders, including up to 295 species, have been preserved. Turtles have no teeth (rudiments were found in Triassic forms) and are replaced by a horny sheath - a beak. In most forms, the body is enclosed in a shell, consisting of a carapace (upper shell) and a flat lower one - plastron. There is no sternum. The shoulder girdle is in the chest. The lungs are large and complex. Breathing occurs with the help of pumping movements of the hyoid apparatus and abdominal muscles, which is facilitated by the movements of the forelimbs and head. In freshwater turtles, additional respiratory organs in water are the outgrowths of the pharynx and cloaca (anal bladders) permeated with capillaries. Hearing is weak. Terrestrial species are phytophagous, aquatic species are mostly predators, but more often they have mixed food. Turtles, especially terrestrial turtles, are resilient to injury. Males have an unpaired penis; their plastron often has a concave shape. The female can lay more than 200 eggs. Maximum life expectancy is 150-200 years. During winter and dry periods, turtles may go into torpor. Enemies - crocodiles, monitor lizards, birds of prey and mammals, in the sea - sharks. Man harvested turtles using meat, eggs, shell (or just its stratum corneum), also for keeping in zoos and vivariums.

The family of snapping or alligator turtles (Chelydridae) includes 2 genera and 2 species, distributed from North America to Ecuador. Known since the Eocene, i.e. 35 million years ago, they are distinguished, in particular, by a large head with a powerful beak and a long tail - more than half the length of the body - with keeled ridges, like a crocodile. The snapping or snapping turtle (Chelydra segrentina) occurs within the range of the family, reaching a length of 1 m and a weight of up to 30 kg. Predator: also attacks ducks; She bit off the fingers of people bathing. Cold-resistant: can crawl on ice. One of the turtles lived for several years in the city sewer.

The family of freshwater turtles (Emydidae) includes 31 genera and 85 species, inhabiting the southern half of North and North-East South America, the south and west of Europe, the south and south-east of Asia. Known since the Eocene. To p. Kachuga - roofing turtles include 7 species known from India and Burma. Their length is up to 40 cm, food is aquatic plants. To the family box turtles(Terrapene) belongs to 4 species, distributed from southern Canada to the southern USA and Mexico and having a length of up to 16 cm. The box-shaped, more convex shell than that of other species can be closed. In addition, they have a reduction in the membranes between their fingers, which indicates a transition to a terrestrial lifestyle. The 5 species of European water turtles (Mauremys) are distributed in northwestern Africa, southern Europe and southern Asia.

The Caspian turtle (M. caspica) inhabits water bodies from the Iberian Peninsula to southern Turkmenistan. Predator. The diet includes (according to A.G. Bannikov) medium-sized animals (turtle length up to 23 cm): amphipods, crayfish, gobies, locusts, grasshoppers, as well as seaweed, horsetails, sedges, reeds, reeds, wormwood. Food is eaten more often on land. It overwinters in silt and can be under water for up to 3 hours (at air temperature = 30°C) and up to 87 hours (at air temperature = 10°C).

The genus of marsh turtles includes 2 species, of which the most widely known is the European marsh turtle (Emys orbicularis), which inhabits North Africa, central and southern Europe, Asia Minor and the Caucasus. In the Volga-Kama region it goes north to the bend of the Belaya River (Bashkortostan) and the middle reaches of pp. Big Cheremshan and Small Cheremshan (Tatarstan). Findings of a turtle in 10 districts of the Nizhny Novgorod region require clarification. The plastron and carapace of the marsh turtle are connected by ligaments. Predator. The food found (according to A.G. Bannikov) included pupae of mosquitoes, locusts, grasshoppers, mole crickets, mole crickets, woodlice, tadpoles and frogs, as well as plants. Overwinters in the mud. You can stay under water from 6 to 83 hours, depending on the temperature. Lives up to 120 years.

From the genus of painted turtles Chrysemys, common in North America, C. picta is known - a decorated turtle, widely bred in captivity. There is evidence that this species has taken root in the waters of Hungary. These turtles have a mixed diet.

The family of land turtles (Testudinidae) includes 11 genera with 39 species, distributed in America, Africa, southern Europe and Asia. The genus Testudo includes 4 species living around the Mediterranean Sea, the Caucasus and Iran. Most of them are known in the Mediterranean sea ​​turtle(T. graeca), inhabiting northern Africa, southern Europe and southwestern Asia. The species' range in Russia includes two areas: on the Black Sea coast, from the borders of Abkhazia to Anapa, and in Dagestan. The length of its carapace is up to 35 cm. The carapace is high. Distributed from sea coasts to semi-deserts, lowland and tugai forests and mountain slopes. It is a phytophage, but also eats shellfish and insects. Active during the day. In the spring, mating takes place, accompanied by fights between males. In May-June, the female lays eggs (2-9 eggs in three clutches). Young ones appear in July-September. From October-November they go into burrows for the winter. The number is declining. Included in the Red Book of Russia.

The Central Asian tortoise (Agrionemys horsfieldii) is the only species of the genus. Distributed from Iran to northern Pakistan and Xinjiang; in Kazakhstan, the northern border of the range runs approximately from the river. Emba to r. Turgai and khr. Tarbagatai. Lives in deserts, gorges and mountain slopes. The length of the carapace is up to 29 cm. In nature, it lives up to 30 years. Daytime activity. In spring it wakes up in March-April. Reproduction until the end of May. The female lays 1-6 eggs in 2-3 clutches. Hatched turtles remain overwintering in the ground until spring. Phytophagous, sometimes eats invertebrates, and was once found in the stomach house mouse. Enemies - monitor lizard, fox, raven and birds of prey. In 1967, the Kazakh zoo plant sent 43 thousand copies to Paris and London. Included in the list of the International Trade Convention.

The genus Geochelone includes 16 species of large turtles from America, Africa and Asia. The best known is the elephant tortoise (G. elephantopus), which lives on the Galapagos Islands and reaches a length of 150 cm and a weight of 400 kg. Lives 200-250 years or more. Can reach speeds of up to 300 m/hour. Described by Charles Darwin back in 1835. Over 300 years, about 10 million specimens were exported mainly by sailors for meat and for zoos. The Charles Darwin Foundation is engaged in the protection of turtles. A reserve has been created. All 12 extant subspecies are included in the IUCN Red List. The giant tortoise (G. gigantea) lives in open areas of Aldabra Island in the Seychelles group of islands, where the species is seriously competed by wild goats brought to the island, which have taken over the reptiles’ pastures. They are currently being hunted. In the 1960s it was planned to create a large military base here. But the scientific community managed to defend the island. In 1975, a natural reserve was created on Aldabra and a research station operates. In addition, turtles were introduced on other Seychelles islands, Reunion Island, Mauritius Island, Nosy Be Island off the coast of Madagascar, etc. The carapace length of this turtle reaches 120 and 156 cm, weight - more than 200 kg. Lives (in captivity) for more than 150 years. The species has population regulation mechanisms (changes in the number of eggs laid). Included in the IUCN Red List.

Endemic to Madagascar is the radiated tortoise (G. radiata), up to 38 cm long and weighing up to 13 kg. Distributed in xerophytic forests of the southern part of the island. A phytophage, on occasion actively eats animal food. In the XVIII-XIX centuries. used as food, which caused overharvesting. It is protected in the Tsimanampetsosa Nature Reserve and is included in the IUCN Red List by special law of the country. 2 subspecies of the leopard tortoise (G. pardalis), with a carapace length of up to 70 cm, are found in central and southern Africa. Included in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Animals. In the tropical forests of South America, on the island. Trinidad and the Lesser Antilles live the forest turtle or shabuti (G. denticulata). Phytophage. Used for food (the size of its carapace is up to 60 cm). Included in Annex II of the Convention on International Trade.

The family of sea turtles (Cheloniidae) includes species that live in equatorial and tropical waters of the globe and often swim into temperate latitudes. The family has 4 genera with 6-7 species. The loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) has a carapace length of up to 105 cm and a weight of 158 kg. Floats into the hall. La Plata, in the Barents Sea (region of Murmansk), in 1940 it was mined in the hall. Peter the Great. A predator that feeds on benthos, mainly mollusks and crayfish, also sponges, jellyfish, and fish. Lays eggs (up to 150 pieces) along the shores of Oman, Florida, and Australia. Included in the IUCN Red List.

Hawksbill (Eretmochelys im - bricata), reaching a length of 90 cm, swims to the shores of England, Holland, and Italy. Food: benthic invertebrates, fish. Lays up to 200 eggs. Turtles were used for food and to produce “turtle bone” used for haberdashery. Included in the IUCN Red List. The green or soup turtle (Chelonia mydas) reaches a length of 140 cm and a weight of 450 kg. It swims as far as England and Bulgaria. Breeds off the coast of Oman and Pakistan in the Arabian Sea, Malaysia and the Philippines in the South China Sea, off Kalimantan, Australia, Mozambique, on the islands and shores of the Mediterranean Sea, in the Caribbean. Feeds aquatic plants(zostera, kelp), occasionally crustaceans and mollusks. The eggs are eaten by raccoons, ocelots, and dogs, and the hatched turtles are eaten by birds and fish. A research station has been established in Costa Rica. Listed in the IUCN Red List.

The leatherback turtle family (Dermochelydae) includes 1 species. The leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), reaching a length of 2 m with a weight of about 600 kg (fin span 3 m), nests on the tropical coasts of three oceans, feeds in temperate waters, swimming to the shores of Europe and the Far East (caught in the south of the Far East and the Bering Sea sea). The main breeding grounds are on the Pacific coast of Mexico, off French Georgia and in Western Malaysia. Lays up to 130 eggs. Food - jellyfish, crustaceans, algae, also fish, echinoderms, mollusks. By collecting and incubating eggs with the subsequent release of young animals, it was possible in 1971-81. increase the number from 29 thousand to approximately 104 thousand. In this species, the ribs and spine are not fused with the shell, there is no horny shell. The bones are filled with fat, which in museum pieces can ooze for years. Over 400 years (since 1558), about 40 specimens have been mined. Included in the IUCN Red List.

The family of three-clawed turtles (Trionychidae) has a highly reduced bony shell. The plastron and carapace are connected by ligaments. The head ends in a soft proboscis with nostrils. The outgrowths of the pharyngeal mucosa functionally replace the gills. There are 14 genera and 24 species in the family. They live in fresh water bodies of North America, Africa, New Guinea and Asia. The Far Eastern tortoise (Pelodiscus sinensis) was previously classified in the genus Trionyx (or Amyda). It has a length of up to 40 cm and a weight of up to 4.5 kg. The species is distributed in China, Korea, northern Vietnam and Japan, introduced to the island. Guam and Hawaiian Islands. In Russia it is found in the basins of the Amur and Ussuri rivers, on lake. Hanka. Lives in slow-flowing rivers, oxbow lakes and lakes. Doesn't go far from the water. Most often hunts at dusk and at night. They overwinter in the mud. The female lays 18-75 eggs in a hole on a sandy (occasionally pebble) shore (up to 150 eggs per season). Clutches are destroyed by raccoon dogs, foxes, badgers, wild boars, and crows. Food: fish, crustaceans, insects, worms, shellfish. Very aggressive. The number of the species in Russia is falling, its range is shrinking. There have been attempts at artificial breeding and protection of clutches from predators. Included in the Red Book of Russia.

Of the diapsid groups, representatives of the subclasses of archosaurs and lepidosaurs have survived to this day. The order Pseudosuchia, known since the end of the Permian period, divided into several branches. Representatives of the aquatic branch - crocodiles - have been known since the Triassic, i.e. their age is more than 230 million years.

Turtles are very ancient creatures. To some extent, they are descendants of some species of dinosaurs.

There are a huge variety of turtles. They are divided into species, subspecies, orders, suborders. Many are already extinct, and some are on the verge of extinction. Some turtles can be kept in the house, but some are simply not meant for this.

Today we will try to understand all the diversity and types of turtles.

There are a huge variety of turtle species. In total there are more than 328 species, which are included in 14 families.

The tortoise order consists of two suborders, divided by the way the animal retracts its head into its shell:

1. Hidden-necked turtles with necks folded into an "S" shape
2. Side-necked turtles with their head tucked toward one of their front legs

This is the simplest division. I will not give an official division into all types and subspecies here. For this we can read Wikipedia. The purpose of this article is not to confuse you, but to give the most convenient and simple classification. Therefore, we will divide turtles by habitat.

According to the habitat of turtles, there is the following classification:

• Sea turtles (live in seas and oceans)
• Terrestrial turtles (live on land or in fresh water)

In turn, terrestrial turtles last for:

• Land turtles
• Freshwater turtles

Types of sea turtles

Sea turtles are inhabitants of salt waters. Unlike their earthly relatives they differ large size. They live in warm tropical waters, practically never visiting cold latitudes.

Sea turtles have remained virtually unchanged for millions of years since they appeared on the planet. They are characterized by developed forelimbs, used as flippers, and hind legs that are almost not involved in movement. Also, in sea turtles, the limbs cannot be retracted into the shell. Moreover, some species, such as the leatherback turtle, have no shell at all.

Despite the popular belief that turtles are slow animals, this is only the case on land, where they really look clumsy. However, in the water they are transformed, becoming examples of speed and superior navigator qualities. Even in Fiji (a state in the Pacific Ocean), the sea turtle is a symbol of the marine department. This is no accident - nature really rewarded these animals with qualities that allowed them to become excellent swimmers.

In addition, scientists have not fully figured out why, but turtles have amazing navigational abilities:

• Firstly, they accurately determine the place of their birth, and return exactly there to continue their offspring. And even after many years they remember the place of their birth.
• Secondly, sea turtles undergo enormous migrations, presumably guided by magnetic field Earth, which prevents them from getting lost.
• And thirdly, some sea turtles, for example, the Ridley turtle, gather to lay eggs in the sand only on one day a year. Scientists suggest that only those individuals that were born in this particular place and were lucky enough to survive gather on the beach. Locals call this day "invasion" when thousands of turtles emerge from the water. This behavior suggests a collective consciousness among turtles.

When the turtle lays her eggs, she very carefully buries the eggs with sand, compacts it, and makes it invisible. Looking at such care for the eggs, it is difficult to imagine that the mother turtle does not experience any maternal feelings, and having done her job, returns to the ocean without waiting for the eggs to hatch.

The hatched turtle will likely live less than 10 minutes. Having got out of the sand, she rushes to the water, on the way to which a huge number of enemies, primarily birds of prey, await her. But even after reaching water, most of them will be eaten sea ​​predators. Only one in a hundred turtles born will reach adulthood and return to this beach to continue their lineage.

Based on materials from: inokean.ru

The most famous representatives of sea turtles:

• Leatherback turtle
• Green (soup sea turtle)
• Loggerhead sea turtle (false carriage turtle)
• Hawksbill sea turtle (true caretta)
• ridley (olive turtle)

Types of land turtles

Terrestrial turtles make up the largest large group by the number of species included in it. This includes the land turtle family, which has 37 species, as well as the two largest families of freshwater turtles (85 species).

Terrestrial turtles also include many families, including 1-2 species.

Spread throughout the roast and temperate zone(except Australia). Swamp turtles live in the steppe zone of Russia and the Caucasus.
Includes 5–7 species inhabiting the Mediterranean, the Balkan Peninsula, the Caucasus, Asia Minor and Central Asia.

Terrestrial turtles are herbivores. This is one of the few examples of the development of only plant foods among turtles. Their food is green grass and vegetation, with which they receive the necessary portion of water. In the habitats of many species, food and water are available only for short periods.

In such places, turtles spend most of their lives hibernating. Thanks to this slow metabolism, the life expectancy of turtles is very long, up to 100 - 150 years.

The most famous representatives of land turtles:

• Galapagos elephant tortoise
• Elastic turtle
• Steppe tortoise
• Elephant turtle
• Wood turtle

Types of land turtles

Land turtles, like freshwater turtles, belong to the species of terrestrial turtles.

Let's start with the land ones - a family of turtles with 11-13 genera, including about forty species.

Land animals with a high, less often flattened, shell, with thick columnar legs. The toes are fused together, and only the short claws remain free. The head and legs are covered with scutes and scales.

Among land turtles there are both small species, about 12 cm long, and giant ones, up to a meter or more in length. Gigantic species live only on a few islands (Galapagos, Seychelles, etc.). Specimens are known that have reached about 400 kg of live weight in captivity.

Compared to freshwater turtles, land turtles are very slow and clumsy, so in case of danger they do not try to escape, but hide in their shells. Another method of defense used by many land turtles is the sudden emptying of a very capacious bladder. When in danger, the Central Asian turtle hisses like a viper.

They are distinguished by phenomenal vitality and longevity. Life expectancy different types ranges from 50 to 100 years, sometimes up to 150.

Land turtles are primarily herbivores, but their diet must include a certain amount of animal food. They can go for a very long time without water and food, and in the presence of succulent vegetation they do not need water at all, but they drink it willingly, especially in the heat.

The most popular are the Central Asian and Mediterranean turtles. It's better to take a young turtle. This can be easily determined by the size of the shell (it is small) and behavior (reaction, better in young turtles).

Based on materials from: so-sha.narod.ru

The most famous representatives of land turtles:

• Panther turtle
• Yellow-footed turtle
• Yellow-headed turtle
• Red footed turtle
• Radiant turtle
• Steppe (Central Asian) turtle
• Mediterranean (Caucasian, Greek)

Types of freshwater turtles

Freshwater turtles are the largest family of turtles, comprising 31 genera and 85 species. These are small and medium-sized animals, the shell of which in most cases is low and has a rounded oval streamlined shape.

Their limbs are usually swimming, have more or less developed membranes and are armed with sharp claws. The head is covered on top with smooth skin, only sometimes there are small shields on the back of the head. Many species have very bright, beautiful colors of the head and legs, and often the shell.

The family is distributed unusually widely - in Asia, Europe, North Africa, North and South America. There are two main nodes in their geography. The main, most ancient center lies in Southeast Asia, where more than 20 genera are concentrated; the second center apparently formed later in eastern North America, where 8 genera of freshwater turtles are found.

Most species are aquatic life, inhabiting reservoirs with weak currents. They move deftly both in water and on land, and feed on a variety of animal and plant foods. Only individual species switched to living on land for the second time, which affected their appearance and behavior. Although carnivory is characteristic of aquatic turtles, some species are strict vegetarians.

Just like land animals, they should be kept in terrariums, but only in special ones. You need a heated lamp, a “bank” where the turtle should go out to warm up, and actual water.

Trionics is a representative of the family of soft-bodied turtles.

It inhabits the Amur basin within Russia (which is the extreme northern limit of its range) almost from the mouth and south to the western part of Primorye, Eastern China, North Korea, Japan, as well as Hainan Island, Taiwan. Introduced to Hawaii.

Lives in fresh water bodies. Most active at dusk and at night. During the day it often basks on the shore. In case of danger, it instantly disappears into the water, burying itself in the bottom silt. It feeds on fish, amphibians, insects, mollusks and worms.

Also very popular red-eared turtles. Representatives of the genus can be found south of North America, Southern and Central Europe, South Africa, South-East Asia.

The turtle got its name from the two elongated bright red spots behind its eyes. This spot may be bright yellow in the Cumberland turtle subspecies or yellow in the yellow-bellied turtle subspecies. The plastron is oval, usually dark in color with yellow lines and a yellow edging around the edge.

The most famous representatives of freshwater turtles:

• Side-necked turtle

Unofficial division of turtles

These divisions are not included in the official ones, but I believe that it is worth dividing them according to these criteria to make your choice easier.

Types of pet turtles

Here again we will divide for convenience into land and freshwater turtles.

Land pet turtles

The most common type of turtle. Those turtles that we are used to seeing among our friends, acquaintances, and relatives. Moves slowly and a little awkwardly, waddling.

By the way, it is officially listed in the Red Book and prohibited for sale. But, as we see, most pet stores circumvent this ban.

In nature, it lives in southern, warm regions, in agricultural and desert areas. Central Asia. The sizes are medium, the shell is 20-30 centimeters long, yellow-brown in color with dark zones on the scutes. The limbs have four fingers.

The most comfortable temperature for keeping in a terrarium is 24-30 degrees. However, being in a closed space has a detrimental effect on health and psychological condition animal, and it dies early. It’s not for nothing that the Central Asian turtle was included in the Red Book!

This breed has about 20 subspecies, living in various landscapes and climatic zones. This is mainly North Africa, southern Europe and South-West Asia, the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, Dagestan, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan.

Accordingly, it loves warmth and sunlight. Depending on the subspecies, it has different sizes and colors of the shell. The dimensions of the shell reach up to 35 centimeters. Color – brown-yellow with dark splashes. On the back of the thighs there is a horny tubercle. There are 5 toes on the front paws, and spurs on the hind paws. Comfortable temperature for keeping in an aquarium is 25-30 degrees.

They are similar in appearance to Mediterranean turtles, but much smaller. The dimensions of the shell are 15-20 centimeters (according to some sources – 30 centimeters). The color of the shell is yellow-brown with black spots. At a young age it is bright, but fades over the years.

A characteristic feature of this species is the conical spike at the end of the tail. Individuals living in the west are smaller than individuals living in the east.

At all, this type lives in Southern Europe, along the Mediterranean coast: northeastern Spain, European part Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Balearic Islands, Corsica, Ligurian and Tyrrhenian coasts of Italy, Sardinia, Sicily, as well as the Greek islands. Comfortable temperature for keeping in a terrarium is 26-32 degrees.

These turtles are very small. Their shell size is only about 12 centimeters. Yellow in color, shields with a dark border. There are no spurs on the hind legs.

Habitat: Mediterranean coast of Israel, Egypt, Libya. If you decide to get such a turtle, then remember that the temperature in the terrarium should be about 24-30 degrees. A characteristic feature of the behavior of the Egyptian tortoise is that, like an ostrich, it quickly buries itself in the sand when danger approaches.

Freshwater pet turtles

The most common species of freshwater turtles, which can be found in terrariums and aquariums of urban residents. It includes approximately 15 subspecies and belongs to the genus of decorated (lined, painted) turtles. They call her that because she is the main one distinctive feature– a red spot near the ears (yellow in some subspecies).

The shell is 18-30 centimeters long. In youth it has a bright green shell color, which darkens with age. There are bright green stripes on the head and limbs. Males differ from females in their larger and more massive tail and nail plate.

They live naturally in the USA (Virginia, Florida, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico), Mexico and the countries of Central America and the Caribbean, and South America (Colombia, Venezuela).

Can also be found in Australia, South Africa, Arizona, Guadeloupe, Israel, Spain, and Great Britain. Lives in lakes and ponds with marshy shores. Leads a sedentary and lazy lifestyle. For comfortable living in your terrarium, maintain the water temperature 22-28 degrees, air temperature – 30-32 degrees.

There are 13 subspecies of the European marsh turtle. Their carapace is low, convex, and smooth. They reach a length of up to 35 centimeters and a weight of up to one and a half kilograms.

The carapace is dark green or dark olive in color, the plastron is light. Small spots on the head, neck, shell and paws (yellow specks). The claws on the paws are quite large, and there are membranes between the toes. In adult turtles, the length of the tail is up to ¾ the size of the shell, and in small turtles it is even longer!

Meet a European swamp turtle possible on the territory of Russia (Crimea, Yaroslavl region, Smolensk, Bryansk, Tula, Oryol, Belgorod, Lipetsk, Voronezh, Samara, Saratov region, upper Don, Mari El Republic, Trans-Urals, central and southern regions), Belarus, Lithuania, Ukraine, Central and Southern Europe, the Caucasus, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Asia, Turkey, northern Iran and northwest Africa.

In its natural habitat it prefers ponds and lakes with muddy bottoms. Activity occurs during the daytime. The water temperature in the terrarium is 22-25 degrees, the air temperature is 30. The species is listed in the Red Book.

Reaches a total length of up to 30 centimeters (25 centimeters of which is the shell). The carapace is flat, oval, brown-green in color with yellow stripes. There are also stripes on the paws and on the head. You can distinguish a male from a female by the tail (in females it is shorter and thinner), and by the concave carapace of the male.

Caspian turtles live in southern Europe (Montenegro, Croatia, Albania, Macedonia, Greece, Bulgaria, Cyprus), western Asia, in the north-west of the Arabian Peninsula (Lebanon, Israel, Saudi Arabia), in the Caucasus, Turkmenistan, Iran, Iraq.

In nature, it settles in bodies of water, both fresh and brackish water, near which there is coastal vegetation. And these turtles can climb mountains to heights of up to 1800 meters above sea level and live up to 30 years! In captivity, the air temperature in the terrarium is 30-32 degrees, the water temperature is 18-22 degrees.

Chinese trionix (Far Eastern tortoise). There are exceptions to any rule. Chinese Trionix is ​​proof of this. We are all used to seeing turtles with a classic hard shell. The Chinese Trionix is ​​soft.

The dimensions of the shell reach 20 centimeters, it is soft, leathery, without any scutes. Green color. But this is not all that can surprise an unprepared person in this unique representative of the turtle order.

They have three toes on their paws. On the face instead of a nose there is a proboscis. And if you pass by some pond somewhere in China and see such a proboscis sticking out of the water, you know that this is a Trionix turtle sticking out to get a fresh portion of oxygen.

Despite all their vulnerability and cuteness, the jaws of the Chinese trionyx have sharp cutting edges with which they grab their prey.

The amazing qualities of this turtle also include its speed of movement and reaction. This is not your classic turtle, barely moving around the house.

It is dangerous for humans due to its nature: Trionics turtles are quite aggressive, bite painfully and are rarely tamed. Unless they are raised in captivity from a young age. You can meet Trionix in China, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, on the islands of Hainan and Taiwan, in the Russian Far East, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Hawaiian and Mariana Islands, Micronesia.

They prefer to live in rivers with weak currents, lakes and canals. IN eastern countries– China, Japan, Korea is highly valued for its meat, and is served as a delicacy. In captivity, the water temperature in the terrarium should reach 26 degrees, the air temperature - 30-32.

Based on materials from: gerbils.ru

Types of aquarium turtles

You can look at aquarium turtles in a photo or in their natural form in a store, and choose a pet based on your aesthetic preferences. There are no big differences in the content of different breeds of such amphibians.

Types of aquarium turtles that are most often found in aquaterrariums:

• Swamp turtle
• Long-necked turtle
• Mud turtle

The last one is the smallest. An adult reaches only 10 centimeters. Accordingly, she will need a comparatively smaller home. The rest grow 2-3 times larger at home. All these amphibians have good eyesight, react to movement, distinguish smells and tastes. At the same time, turtles are somewhat deaf, their ears are covered with folds of skin.

Keeping turtles in aquariums

When thinking about how to care for aquarium turtles, you should consider that they need both water and dry land to live a full life. Well, it’s not for nothing that biologists called them amphibians! Minimum dimensions The aquaterratio should be 160 centimeters long, 60 centimeters wide and 80 centimeters high. For a musk turtle, these dimensions can be halved.

Caring for an aquarium turtle will require the arrangement of three zones: a pond, land and “shallow water”. Dry land should occupy up to a third of the area of ​​the aquaterrarium. Cute amphibians climb onto it to warm themselves. The shallow water area (depth 3-4 centimeters) may be quite small, but it is definitely necessary. Turtles use it for thermoregulation.

Based on materials from: akvarym.com

Types of small turtles

The little turtle will be an ideal pet for those who are short on time.

Little turtles are very popular exotic pets. All over the world, millions of people choose these cute, funny animals that do not require complex care and maintenance as pets.

Advantages of small turtles over other pets

The little turtle is ideal for both small city apartments and spacious private houses. Small, leisurely, requiring virtually no care and very unusual in appearance, turtles will become true friends both restless children and calm elderly people.

If you don’t have the time or desire to walk your dog three times a day in any weather, brush your cat every week, or spend a whole day every month cleaning an aquarium with fish, purchasing a turtle would be an ideal option.

For small turtles, a 100-liter aquarium or a terrarium prepared with your own hands from a large box or old suitcase (if the turtle is an amphibian) is quite enough.

Which turtles are small

Small turtles include species of turtles that do not grow in length by more than 12-13 cm. Turtles with a body length exceeding 13-15 cm are considered large and require more complex care and maintenance conditions. There are several species of small turtles.

Flat-bodied (flat) turtles. The body length of representatives of this species varies between 6-8.5 cm, weight reaches 100-170 g. Such miniature sizes allow the turtle to feel comfortable in a small aquarium, and the fact that these turtles feed mainly on small succulents (plants containing a lot of moisture), makes caring for them very simple.

Locking turtles. Locked turtles live naturally in parts of Africa, as well as in Mexico and the United States. There are four subspecies of reclusive turtles. Yellow snapback turtles and Sonoran snapback turtles typically grow to 7.5-13 cm. Striped snapback turtles and reddish mud turtles reach 7.5-11 cm.

Musk turtles. Another type of small turtles that can be kept at home. Adults reach a maximum length of 15 cm. The genus of musk turtles has four species. The keeled musk turtle reaches 7.5-15 cm in length. The common musk turtle and the small musk turtle grow to 7.5-12.5 cm. Sternotherus depressus is 7.5-11 cm long.

Spotted turtles. This is a semi-aquatic species of turtles reaching 7.5-13 cm in length. Since this turtle is a semi-terrestrial animal, in addition to a small water aquarium, a dry aquarium or terrarium is perfect for it.

Chinese three-keeled turtles. The average body length of representatives of this species of turtle is 13 cm. The three-keeled turtle is an excellent choice for people who are purchasing a turtle for the first time, as it is a very calm and unpretentious animal.

Small turtles do not require large expenses for their maintenance, do not need any special care and do not take up much space in the apartment - a small 100-150-liter aquarium will be quite enough for them.

Despite the enormous popularity of these small exotic animals as pets, keeping them in captivity is illegal in some countries.

Based on materials from: vitaportal.ru

Endangered turtle species

On this moment There are several species of turtles that are either extinct or on the verge of extinction.

Galapagos tortoise or elephant tortoise. By the early 20th century, more than 200,000 Galapagos tortoises had been exterminated. Almost all natural habitats were also destroyed. elephant turtles.

This is due to the fact that actively began to develop Agriculture and there was a need for places to raise livestock. Many types of livestock were also introduced, which competed with turtles for food.

Since the early 20th century, much effort has been made to restore the elephant turtle population. Captive-bred turtles were released into their natural habitats. Today the number of such turtles is more than 20,000 individuals.

Leatherback turtle. About 30 years ago, there were more than 117 thousand females of such turtles. Now their number has decreased to about 25 thousand.
This is due to the fact that leatherback turtles feed on jellyfish and dive to very great depths for them. In their natural habitats, water bodies are heavily clogged and turtles very often swallow various rubbish they die from this.

Swamp turtle. The only representative of turtles in Belarus. Females are distinguished by larger body sizes and a comparatively thinner tail at the base.

Protected in many European countries. The species is listed in the Red Books of Belarus and many other CIS countries.

The decline in turtle numbers in Belarus is associated with the transformation and reduction in the area of ​​natural habitats that followed changes in natural landscapes and drainage of wetlands.

Far Eastern turtle. In most of its habitat, the Far Eastern tortoise is a common species. But in Russia, this is a rare species, the number of which in this part of its range is rapidly declining.

This is due to the fact that the Far Eastern tortoise is one of the main edible species turtles. Therefore, many poachers catch, kill and sell them. Also local residents They destroy the nests and take away the eggs of Far Eastern turtles.

Poisonous turtles

Along with pet turtles, there are some species that can cause irreparable harm to your health.

Leatherback turtle. The leatherback turtle is the largest of all turtles, sometimes reaching over 2.5 meters in length. These 2,000-pound omnivores are arguably the widest-growing vertebrates on Earth, but their populations are declining every year due to industrial development, pollution and being caught as bycatch.

These turtles are usually quite gentle giants, however if disturbed they can bite and their bite can break bones as they are very strong and powerful. In one strange case, a huge leatherback turtle, likely weighing more than 680 kilograms, directed its aggression towards a small boat and rammed it. Shortly before, the turtle was being chased by a shark, so it considered the boat a potential threat.

Fringed turtle (mata-mata). The Amazon of South America is famous for its incredible and sometimes creepy creatures. In the same river with piranhas and river dolphins lives a bizarre fringed turtle.

What will happen if a person steps on a fringed turtle is unknown, but this strange river reptile has an elongated, snake-like neck and a strange mouth containing two sharp plates that resemble human teeth fused together. This uniquely creepy carnivore's lunch menu includes waterbirds, fish and other reptiles.

We can only imagine what will happen to a person who reaches out from the boat to touch the strange lump visible from the water...

Big-headed turtle. The big-headed turtle is a bizarre-looking creature with a long, snake-like tail that is almost as long as its body. This turtle is endemic to Southeast Asia, where it hunts a variety of prey in rivers.

The large head does not retract into the shell, and is equipped with very powerful jaws. If a turtle feels threatened, it will not hesitate to use its beak, which can crush bones, so it is better to keep your distance from them. Incredibly, this creature, living in Asia, is able to climb trees, where it can sit like a bird. Unfortunately this amazing creature is endangered due to poaching, which must be constantly combated.

Soft-bodied turtles. Looking like flat human-reptile hybrids from alien horror films, soft-bodied turtles compensate for their lack of shell by greatly strong bite. Among the many species of soft-shelled turtles from around the world, the most feared is the large Cantor's soft-shelled turtle, endemic to China.

She hides in the sand, waiting for prey, and then jumps out and bites the prey with sharp teeth. Huge size turtle and the force of its bite can cause horrific injuries. However, this species is unfortunately currently endangered. However, more common species of softshell turtles, such as the evil trionix, can be found throughout the world and are quite capable of biting an unwary fisherman.

Based on materials: bugaga.ru

I hope you received today Full description what types of turtles there are. We figured out all their diversity and have already planned a pet for the future. Well, I say goodbye to you.

Kawabanga, friends!

Mediterranean turtle, Testudo graeca (Linnaeus, 1758). In the past, an incorrect name, copied from a Latin zoonym, was also used - “Greek tortoise”. A medium-sized turtle with a high carapace and a maximum length of up to 30 cm. Forepaws with 5 claws. The carapace is yellowish-brown or light olive in color with dark spots. The general range of the species covers diverse, predominantly mountainous and foothill dry landscapes in northern Africa, southern Europe, southwest Asia, as well as on some islands in the Mediterranean Sea. By the way, this species is not found in Greece. On the territory of Russia it is found along the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus and in Dagestan. Intraspecific taxonomy has not been sufficiently studied. Currently, from 4 to 8 subspecies are distinguished, the status of some of them is debatable. They feed mainly on plant foods, but often eat invertebrates and carrion. They overwinter from late October to November in various underground shelters. They emerge from wintering in March–April. The mating period lasts from April to mid-June. A month and a half after mating, females lay eggs. The clutch contains from 1 to 7 eggs measuring 3.2–4.6×2.9–3.7 cm and weighing 19–23 g. The female makes up to 3 clutches per season. Incubation duration is from 60 to 110 days. Young turtles hatch from eggs from late July to mid-September, with a carapace length of 3.5–4.5 cm. Often from late clutches or under unfavorable conditions, turtle hatchlings emerge to the surface only next spring. Sexual maturity is reached at 12–14 years of age with a carapace length of 16–18 cm. The number of the species is rapidly declining due to the transformation of natural habitats and long-term uncontrolled trapping. Thus, A. Schleyer wrote back in 1912 (p. 73): “All the turtles that can sometimes be seen on the windows of grocery stores in St. Petersburg and Moscow belong precisely to this species.” It is no longer found in some parts of its range. The species is listed in the Red Book of Russia, the International Red Book and Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES).

Balkan turtle, Testudo hermanni(Gmelin, 1789). A land turtle with a carapace up to 20–23 cm long. Females are larger than males. The top of the shell is painted in gray or yellowish tones. The species is distributed in southern Europe: southeastern Spain, southern France, central and southern Italy, Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Macedonia, Albania, Greece, Romania and Bulgaria. It is also found on many large islands of the Mediterranean Sea. Intraspecific taxonomy cannot be considered final; at the moment, 2 subspecies are distinguished. Nominative subspecies T.h. hermanni distributed over most of its range, and the eastern Balkan tortoise, T.h. boettgeri inhabits the Balkan Peninsula. Mainly adheres to evergreen dry forests in the foothills and low mountains. It feeds mainly on plant foods, but also eats small invertebrates and picks up fallen fruits. Hibernates in winter and during summer drought. It emerges from wintering in March–April, and the first matings are observed 1–3 weeks after the end of diapause. From April to June, females lay from 3 to 12 eggs measuring 3.0x2.4 cm. Repeated clutches are noted. The duration of incubation varies depending on temperature and humidity from 53 to 120 days. They reach sexual maturity at the age of 5–11 years, females later than males. The main reasons for the decline in the number of Balkan turtles are the destruction of forests due to logging and fires, as well as uncontrolled fishing for commercial purposes. Currently, Balkan tortoises are protected by a number of national legislations, and special reserves have been created in France. Successfully bred under artificial conditions. The species is listed in the IUCN Red List, Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) and Appendix II of the Berne Convention.