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Mediterranean (Greek) spur-thighed tortoise Family: Testudinidae Range: Eastern Europe Habitat: Diet: (Testudo ibera) Status: Vulnerable Semi-arid scrub and Mediterranean forest. Prefer areas with large amounts of vegetation. Wild: Omnivorous, though it mainly feeds on plant matter, dark leafy greens/weeds such as mallows, dandelions and various legumes. They have been seen to eat insects such as slugs or grubs. Captivity: Hay, pelletized tortoise food, nonsucculent greens such as kale. Description: Females are slightly larger than males, with an average size of about 8 inches. Males average around 7 inches. They have a central areola and anterior banding. Those living at higher elevations may be entirely black. They have large symmetrical markings on top of the head, large scales on the front legs, and spurs on each thigh. Lifespan: 75-100 years. Reproduction: Mating begins after awaking from hibernation. The males will follow the females with great interest, encircling them, biting them in the limbs, ramming them, and trying to mount them. A successful mating will allow the female to lay eggs multiple times. Before laying eggs, the female will dig in the dirt, and even taste it, to decide on the proper spot to lay eggs. One or two days before egg laying, the female becomes aggressive and dominant. She takes on the characteristics of a male to gain respect, so she is not disturbed while laying her eggs. Behavior: They are diurnal and are mostly active during the day. They spend the days grazing and retreat to burrows at night. They may not return to the same burrows every night. They find one that is close by or they will make a new one. Our animals: 3 animals. 1 male, 2 unknown. All confiscated by the USFWS at the Detroit Airport. 09/08