Marginated tortoise

Marginated tortoise is the largest of the Mediterranean species belonging to the genus Testudo. Males may surpass 14” while most females top out between 10 and 12”. Its latin name Testudo marginata literally means “Marginated tortoise” which derives from the pronounced rear marginal scutes that form a “skirt” or “bell” shape.

The carapace is oblong or elongate with a moderate dome. Adults typically exhibit a strikingly black colored carapace with cream-yellow highlights or centers on each scute. The supracaudal shield is not divided and this sets them apart from many tortoise species. The plastron is cream colored with two rows of longitudinally arranged triangular shaped markings (chevrons), another unique trait.

The dark grey to black head is large with a pointed snout, strong jaw muscles and big black eyes. The limbs are usually dark and feature impressive, large scales with thick, sharp nails. The soft parts are sometimes lighter colored. Hatchling and juvenile Marginated tortoises sport an attractive cream (almost white) shell color with mahogany-brown borders on each scute.

The skin is also light with dark markings around the head and beady eyes. The plastral chevrons are noticeable at birth. Males are larger, have a more impressive flare to the marginal scutes, a concave plastron, a bigger head and a larger, longer tail with a “slit” for a vent. The smaller females have a flat plastron typically, a narrower head and a very small tail with a puckered vent.