Here's a first look at my Common (or Greek) Tortoise (Testudo graeca). Above the two tortoises, slightly out of focus, is a common wall lizard. The Common tortoise is also known as “Greek tortoise” or “Spur-thighed tortoise” and is one of the 5 species of Mediterranean tortoise. It is a very long lived animal, achieving a lifespan of upwards of 125 years, with some unverified reports of up to 200 years. This tortoise is found in North Africa, southern Europe, and southwest Asia. It is prevalent in the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus (from Russia Anapa to Abkhazia Sukhumi to the South), as well as in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. The diet consists of a wide variety of fibrous plants, especially their flowers. These tortoises are listed as "Vulnerable" in the wild. Common tortoises are commonly traded as pets and their habitat degraded. Both factors significantly hurt the wild populations. Rendered in Firefly without any postwork. Models include my Nature's Wonders Sagebrush Habitat, Lizards, Lizards v3, Turtles and Turtles v1.