Egyptian Tortoise: Testudo kleinmanni
In the Wild
Description:
Small size, up to 5 inches
High-domed, golden-colored shell, ranging from ivory to golden
Sexual dimorphism – males are smaller and more elongated and have longer tails than
females
Habitat and Range:
Ranges through North Africa from Libya to Israel
Mostly found in desert and semi-desert areas, but can also be found in coastal saltmarsh habitats, dry woodlands and brushy areas of scrub thorn
Populations in Egypt are thought to be extinct
Diet
Herbivore
Specifics of diet in the wild are unknown, but is known in captivity to eat grasses, fruits,
and vegetables
Adaptations
Gets most of its liquid from its food
The pale, reflective colors of its shell absorb less heat, allowing the tortoise to forage for
longer during the intense heat of the day
Color also provides camouflage in the species’ sandy, rocky habitat
Lifespan
May live to be around 50
Reproduction
Females lay 1-3 eggs in a hole in the ground
Incubation lasts about 2.5-3 months
Courtship and mating in the wild have only been observed in March, although
reproduction in captivity takes place in April and August to November
Activity
Crepuscular – most active in early morning and late afternoon
Other “fun facts”
Smallest tortoise species
Are very poorly understood – we don’t know very much about them!
Conservation Status and Threats:
Listed on the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered
Threats:
02/06/2013
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Egyptian Tortoise: Testudo kleinmanni
o Habitat loss due to house building, tourist development, and agriculture
o Illegal collection for the pet trade – reproduce very slowly, so do not recover well
from over collection
One of the most endangered species of tortoise – population thought to be around
7,470 in 2003 (down 85%) and are thought to be extinct in Egypt
At the Zoo
Statler was born at the zoo in 2002 and donated to the Education Department the same year.
He weighs 150 grams.
What We Can Do
Make responsible pet choices – an Egyptian tortoise is not a good choice for a pet
Make environmentally responsible lifestyle decisions to help conserve habitat –
conserve energy, reduce litter and pollution
Support efforts to protect the species' natural habitats
Support organizations working on sustainable captive breeding programs such as AZAaccredited zoos and aquariums
References:
www.arkive.org
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/21652/0
www.tortoisetrust.org
02/06/2013
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore