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Wild Tortoise In Greece

By: Debbie45 Comments

Wild Tortoise In Greece

It’s a shame, but it’s been a long time since I’ve seen a wild tortoise on Zakynthos. At one time it wasn’t uncommon to see one at the side of the road and I have on occasion stopped the car to move one to safety off the road.

Back in March, a group of us went on a walking mini-break to Tyros and it was on one of our walks there that we spotted this beauty. It was a fair size tortoise and didn’t seem overly worried by us. To be honest it was probably as thrilled to see us as we were it. It must get very lonely plodding around in the middle of nowhere.

Last night there was a rather large wildfire on the island. Unfortunately, it happens, fires start easily when everything is tinderbox dry. Whenever I see a wildfire I not only pay a thought for the people who risk their lives putting them out, I can’t help but spare a thought for the creatures that perish in them too. My guess is that we don’t see so many wild tortoises anymore because many of them die in wildfires. And I am no expert, but I’m guessing they aren’t prolific breeders either!

The fire last night got me thinking (dangerous, I know), one thought led to another and I was reminded of the wild tortoise we saw near Tyros. If I remember correctly I squealed with delight when we came across Terrence (so predictable!).

So let me introduce you, Terrence, the tortoise we saw near Tyros… Or maybe Tyros would be a better name for it? More unisex, as I have no idea how to tell the genders apart!

My Sunday Photo

Wild tortoise in Greece

There are several species of wild tortoise is Greece. I do believe Terrence (or Tyros) is a marginated tortoise… Isn’t Google wonderful?

Did you know that tortoises are native to Greece?
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Have you ever seen a wild tortoise in Greece?

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About Debbie

Hello, I’m Debbie (also known as ChirpyDebs) and thank you for stopping by my little corner of the internet. Now the children are all grown up I’m happiest when I’m out with the dogs or hiking a trail with my camera in hand. My blog is where I like to share photographs showing the wild beauty of Zakynthos that most people don’t get to see, recipes and other seemingly random things that come to mind.

Comments

  1. 44

    Chris says

    We climbed over Skopos one day and I was surprised to spot a tortoise. My wife never even noticed it, thinking it was a rock. By the time we got the camera out it had 'run' off leaving us with no proof of it ever being there. Haven't seen one since either
    Reply
    • 45

      Debbie says

      Hi Chris, that was one speedy tortoise or your wife was slow. At one time tortoises were a common sight, over the years I have picked many up and moved them off the road, but not for a few years. A lot are killed in the wildfires, even though an adult tortoise can survive quite high temperatures by burrowing. Next time walk with camera in hand! Thank you for popping by and sharing your story. xx
      Reply
  3. 47

    Jen says

    We just had a wildfire in our area. The animals are now in places they shouldn't be and it is causing some big problems. I didn't know that tortoise were native to Greece! What a great picture :) Jen recently posted...Beach Inspired Wall ArtMy Profile
    Reply
    • 51

      Debbie says

      Hi Lisa, he or she is a rather fetching creature. I never thought of Terry as being a unisex name, but you're right! So, Terry or Terri, it is then! Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
    • 58

      Debbie says

      Hi Louise, we are never too old to learn! I have just looked up whether a tortoise can survive a wildfire and apparently the adults' can! They tend to dog burrows where they hide to get out of the heat of the day and their shells are quite protective too. I've definitely noticed I don't see them as often as we did when we first arrived here, which is a real shame. Thank you for popping by. xx Debbie recently posted...Monday Morning Blog Club 10/07/17My Profile
      Reply
  11. 59

    jMo says

    Hi Terrence. I see turtles now and again but only tortoises at the zoo and can imagine how cool it would be to see them in the wild. But how do you move something that big, put them on wheels? I didn't know they were native to Greece and wonder about them perishing in fires. You'd think since it's naturally occurring, it wouldn't be something that endangers them. jMo recently posted...OliverMy Profile
    Reply
    • 60

      Debbie says

      Hi Jeanna, the tortoises we get here aren't that large, not like the African tortoises. I imagine Terence weighed a few kilos though and was probably the largest I have seen here. I would like to think that they could survive a fire, but I can't see how, unless they have a way of burrowing into the ground and their shell protects them from the heat. I'm going to have to look that up now! Thank you for popping by. xx
      Reply
    • 62

      Debbie says

      Hi Jade, we have had some quite bad fires on the island recently. One bad one was in a very beautiful part of the island, which is a shame. Thank you for popping by. xx
      Reply
  13. 63

    Bear and Cardigan says

    When we were in Greece there were lots of wild tortoises, although that was 40 years ago. I used to love seeing them and they moved pretty fast too. We had a pet tortoise as a child and my sister still has him. He is at least 60 years old and I'm wracking my brain but I think you can tell by their shell, they have a dip underneath and a "tail" of shell, but I can't remember if that is the ladies or the men Lol #MySundayPhoto Bear and Cardigan recently posted...#MySundayPhoto Number 28My Profile
    Reply
    • 64

      Debbie says

      Hi Cardigan, they can move their little bums at quite a pace when they have to. How wonderful that your sister still has the tortoise you grew up with! I think that's lovely. Does she have to have special permission to keep him? It won't be long before he's collecting his pension! Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
  14. 65

    Sandee says

    I would have stopped and had a conversation with this good looking tortoise. What a great find and what a great shot. Have a fabulous day. ☺ Sandee recently posted...Silly SundayMy Profile
    Reply
    • 66

      Debbie says

      Hi Sandee, I would have loved to have stopped longer for a chat, but I'm already at the back of the group on our walks as it is (I'm too busy taking photos!). Thank you for dropping by. xx
      Reply
    • 68

      Debbie says

      Hi Catherine, it does seem like an odd term to describe such a placid creature, doesn't it? The fire was here on the island and Terence is on the mainland, so fingers crossed he is just fine. Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply
  16. 69

    Mary says

    What fun Debbie! I'v seen a few tortoises here and there and we even had one in our farm once many years ago. Great photo.
    Reply
    • 72

      Debbie says

      Hi Fiona, you want to come to Zakynthos in July August to see the Loggerhead turtles. They are protected here too, but if you get down the beach very early and you are lucky, you can get to see late hatchlings making their way to the sea. The trails of the baby turtles are so tiny compared to that of the Mother turtle. I hope you get to see them one day! Thank you for dropping by. xx
      Reply
  20. 77

    Anne says

    I really hope that most of the animals managed to escape the fire. Terrance is beautiful, we have two giant African tortoise in our local wildlife park and they really are huge. Last time we were there two of them were mating...so I guess it does happen sometimes and they don't mind having an audience either!! Of course we had to tell the kids they were trying to play leapfrog!!. #mysundayphoto Anne recently posted...My Sunday Photo 8th July 2017My Profile
    Reply
    • 78

      Debbie says

      Hi Anne, it would be nice to think they have, but sometimes the fires spread so quickly there is no way they can. Terence was nowhere near as large as an African tortoise, but he was probably the largest I've seen in the wild in Greece. I can imagine a tortoises mating ritual isn't very elegant! Don't the males ram each other in a display of who's the most worthy mate?... I do have this image of a couple of tortoises playing leap frog in my head now! And it is very funny! Thank you for popping by and giving me a giggle. xx
      Reply
    • 82

      Debbie says

      Hi Tara, we saw this tortoise on the mainland when we were there, and the fires we have had were on the island, although I'm sure the mainland is getting its fair share of wild fires too. It is wonderful seeing creatures like Terence in the wild and they do look so prehistoric too. Thank you for popping by. xx Debbie recently posted...Monday Morning Blog Club 10/07/17My Profile
      Reply
    • 84

      Debbie says

      Hi Sarah, the fires were here on Zakynthos, so I'm sure he would have. I wonder how old he was and how many fires he has survived? Thank you for popping by. xx
      Reply
    • 86

      Debbie says

      Hi Ellen, the markings did show up better than I expected in the photo. I think the tortoise rather liked the attention. Thank you for stopping by. xx
      Reply

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