Reptiles
Hermann's tortoise
Testudo hermanni
Hermann’s tortoise is the most widespread land tortoise in Italy and the Mediterranean. It has a domed yellow-and-black shell and, in most cases, a horny spur at the tip of the tail.
In short
The hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni) is a species with IUCN conservation status NT (Near threatened). It lives in Mediterranean scrub, garrigue, open woodland and coastal dunes, feeding on herbs and hibernating in the cold months. Animals in Black offers a fine-art portrait of it on a black background, available as a print on Hahnemühle paper: request the print.
Habitat & conservation
Where does the hermann's tortoise live?
It lives in Mediterranean scrub, garrigue, open woodland and coastal dunes, feeding on herbs and hibernating in the cold months. It is very long-lived and tied to small home ranges.
Is the hermann's tortoise endangered?
Rated Near Threatened (NT) by the IUCN Red List, with a decreasing population. The main threats are habitat destruction, fires, illegal collection and egg predation.
Facts about the hermann's tortoise
- It is the most common land tortoise in Italy.
- It hibernates during the cold months.
- It can live well beyond 50 years.
Data source: IUCN Red List — Testudo hermanni (Near Threatened) · IUCN SSC / Reptile Database
RED List
Conservation status codes
- EX Extinct No individuals survive.
- EW Extinct in the wild Survives only in captivity.
- CR Critically endangered Extremely high risk of extinction.
- EN Endangered Very high risk of extinction.
- VU Vulnerable High risk of extinction.
- NT Near threatened Likely to become threatened soon.
- LC Least concern Low risk of extinction.
- DD Data deficient Not enough data to assess.
- NE Not evaluated Not yet assessed by the IUCN.