Greek Tortoises: What is a Greek Tortoise?

Greek Tortoises: What is a Greek Tortoise?

The Greek tortoise, scientifically known as Testudo Graeca, is a tortoise present in the Spanish fauna, with two identified populations in the peninsular southeast and a residual one in Mallorca.

Although it was first identified in 1758 by the Swedish botanist Carlos Linnaeus, some fossil records found in North Africa are dated between 30,000 and 150,000 years of antiguaty. The denominative of the species, Graeca, does not allude precisely to a Greek habitat (nothing representative), but to the similarity of its carapace and plates with the ancient Greek mosaics. For this reason, many scientists prefer to call it "Moorish", in allusion to the ancient Roman province of Mauritania, where we find the largest population and fossil record of it.

Like our organic aloe vera, Greek tortoises prefer Mediterranean habitats, characterized by mild winters with moderate rainfall, and warm-dry summers. They are ectothermic animals, who get activated by exposing themselves to the sun during the earliest hours of the day, and prefer hiding among the low vegetation during the hottest hours, taking advantage of such delicious vegetables for feeding. In ATALAYA BIO, we are strongly aware of the importance of adventitious herbs (called by others as "weeds"), not only because they signify the habitat of many species, but also because they improve the quality of the soil, contributing organic matter that maintains the humus and the underlying microorganisms, feeding a truly unique and natural aloe vera.

Throughout the next five entries of our blog, we will introduce you to this wonderful being, who not only keeps our organic aloe vera safe and sound, but also plays the badge of ATALAYA BIO. Do you want to meet them? Stay tuned!

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