A Case of winter activity of the Hermann’s Tortoise (Testudo hermanni Gmelin, 1789) (Reptilia: Testudinidae) from Bulgaria

Abstract

The active season of T. hermanni in Bulgaria is from March–April to October–November. So far, few cases of winter activity have been registered in the country. Here we report on another such case of an adult T. hermanni. The temporary emergence of the specimen from its hibernaculum was probably caused by the combined effect of several factors such as the high ambient temperatures, the orientation of the slope, the altitude, the depth of the hibernaculum used, etc.

Keywords

• seasonal activity
• emergence
• hibernation