Hermann's Tortoise Testudo hermanni

Hermann's Tortoise is a small tortoise with subspecies native to mainly coastal areas of Mediterranean Spain through to the Balkans and, ironically, through much of Greece (coastal and inland).

It is common in Greece (together with the Marginated Tortoise) and is prevalent through coastal Mediterranean Europe, but the "Greek Tortoise" is a different species (also called the Spur-thighed), hardly found in Greece and the "Mediterranean Tortoise" is usually a term that includes most "Testudo" species, including Hermann's, the Spur-thighed, the Egyptian and others.

An oval-shaped tortoise, like other Testudo species, younger Hermann's Tortoises, as above, are more boldly marked. The markings and contrast fade a little as they age. Like most tortoises, they roam but have a good sense of direction and homing. They can live for over 80 years.