Spur-thighed tortoise

The Spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) belongs to the order Testudines and the family Testudinidae. In certain agricultural landscapes, particularly in its natural range, this tortoise species can act as a significant pest, frequently invading gardens and fields where it feeds on various cultivated crops during its active season.

These tortoises primarily damage vegetables, leafy greens, soft fruits, and tender shoots of young vines. Because they are ground-dwelling, they target crops that are easily accessible, often consuming entire seedlings or causing extensive damage to fruit skins, which subsequently leads to rot and yield reduction for the farmer.

The biological activity of the species is strictly regulated by seasonal cycles and environmental temperatures. After emerging from dormancy in spring, the tortoises undergo a period of intense feeding to restore energy reserves. During this time, the proximity of irrigated, lush agricultural plots makes them highly attractive feeding grounds for both adults and juveniles.

Damage symptoms include jagged margins on foliage and deep, hollow bites in ripening vegetables and fruits lying near the soil surface. This feeding behavior not only destroys marketable produce but can also stunt the growth of young crops, causing significant economic losses in regions where these populations remain dense and undisturbed.

Effective management strategies focus on exclusion and barrier techniques. Implementing physical barriers, such as solid fencing or wire mesh buried slightly into the ground, is the most successful way to protect garden beds. As these animals are often protected by law, relocation to suitable wild habitats remains the recommended approach for individuals found within the crops.

• Installing perimeter fencing to prevent entry
• Using wire guards around sensitive seedling beds
• Keeping the area clear of attractive debris
• Humanely relocating tortoises to non-agricultural areas