Animals

Head is moderate in size with a non-protruding snout and hooked upper jaw. Head is brown or black. Carapace moderately domed, about eight inches long. The carapace of older tortoises develops a wavy rim. Variable in color: yellow, olive, or orange to dark brown. Lighter individuals have dark blotching. Plastron is dark brown or black with a yellow border and midseam. Has a divided supracaudal scute. Horny claw-like tail tip in both sexes. The male's tail is longer and more robust.
Geographical range:
Southern Europe from northeast Spain to the Balkans, Bulgaria, and Turkey. Also found on islands in the Mediterranean. Prefers evergreen Mediterranean oak forest, but, due to habitat degradation, is found in dry meadows, scrub hillsides, and rocky slopes. Seems to like dense vegetation, but avoids moist places.

Bibliography:
Ernst, Carl and Barbour, Roger: Turtles of the World