Testudo marginata
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Cryptodira
Family: Testudinidae
Genus: Testudo
Species: T. marginata
Native to central and southern Greece and southwestern Albania, T. marginata was introduced into Italy by man in ancient times (at the time of the Roman Empire), but also more recently between 1600 and 1800 AD; today, in Italy, T. marginata can be found especially in Sardinia but also in Calabria and Tuscany, in the typical Mediterranean shrubland and in hill areas at an altitude not greater than 500 m. It is surely the largest among the Testudo spp. with an average size between 25 and 35 cm, which can exceptionally extend to 40-45 cm in length; the Sardinian population of T. marginata is of larger size compared to the co-specific Greek population (Figs. 1, 2 and 3).
T. marginata is easily recognizable in view of the rear "skirt", a broad flaring more pronounced in males than in females and absent in the very young. The carapace colour is very dark, as well as the skin and the rugged scales; the plastron is yellowish and the scutes are decorated with typical black triangular formations which are also present in young specimens, thus allowing their species identification. In young specimens the scutes are yellow at the centre and dark on the outside. In addition to the difference in the "skirt", sexual dimorphism consists in males being slightly longer than females, they present a narrowing towards the middle of the carapace, a longer tail and a concave plastron, while females are characterized by a more dome shaped carapace, a shorter tail and a flat plastron.
Sexual traits areclearly visible only with the onset of sexual maturity, which is reached at around 9-10 years of age. Matings begin in the spring and, as in other species, are of quite violent nature, with the male chasing, biting and ramming the female. Females lay two to three clutches per season, spaced apart by about a month, with 6-10 eggs per clutch; the eggs are deposited at the bottom of nests excavated for the occasion. The natural incubation period, at an average temperature of 25-30°C, is of around three months. At birth the young are 2.5-3 cm long and weigh about ten grams.
The diet is vegetarian, rich in fibre, calcium and vitamins. In nature these chelonians feed on native field grasses (bermuda grass, clover, dandelion, alfalfa, mauve, etc.); in captivity this basic diet, which should in any case always be made up of primarily seasonal field grasses and hay, can be integrated with green leafy vegetables (endive, chicory, curly salad, radicchio) and small amounts of vegetables (such as tomato and carrot) and fruit (strawberry, peach, apricot, etc.), without forgetting a shallow water bowl, with sides low enough for the tortoise to reach into, which should always be made available. T. marginata should ideally be raised outdoors; the minimum size of the enclosure, given the size that can be reached by adults, should range between 3m2 for a single animal up to 10m2 for eight females or five females and one male. In case of excessive aggressiveness against females, the concept that males should be removed and isolated remains valid. T. marginata goes into hibernation from November to March, with significant differences in duration depending on the geographical area in which they live.
T. marginata is included in the CITES Appendix II and in Annex B to Regulation (EC) No 1332/2005.