European Field Herping Forum :: When to go for tortoises?

When to go for tortoises?

by Georg Fagerlund - 1/2/2010 19h48

Earlier posted a question about where to find tortoises but just read that on this site I wont be informed about any certain places where to find animals, and thats fine. Made reasearch elsewhere and know a place where to go... I hope. Now my question is: When to go and search for turtles? Read somewhere that they are most active in the morning, is this true. What about later afternoon, any chances to find some?

Locality: Belgium
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Last active: 29/8/2010
Posted on: 1/2/2010 20h33

Johann Mols

I would definetely search in the morning
Johann

Locality: Austria
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Posted on: 2/2/2010 10h39

Mario Schweiger

Georg, this depends strongly on the time of the year and where you want to search!
For example in coastal Dalmatia in spring (end of April to end of may) you should have a look between 9 a.m. to 11 or 11:30 a.m. and after 15:30 to 16 p.m. (all times CEST).
During summer tortoises will have mostly a one peek activety, only in the morning hours (8:30 or 9 a.m. till 11 a.m.). Although it might be very warm, tortoises will not come out earlier. They will stay outside a shorter time only!
Mario

Locality: Bulgaria
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Last active: 30/8/2010
Posted on: 2/2/2010 20h25

Georg Fagerlund

So, morning shall it be then. thanks for help. Dont know too much about tortoises, (nor of most of the reptiles) but, what about getting close to one... do they escape or hide? Before I thought that tortoises ar slow but then I saw a friends pet tortoise and in my opinion it wasent slow, what about the wild ones?

Locality: Austria
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Posted on: 3/2/2010 10h10

Mario Schweiger

Georg, I think everybody with two good working legs should reach them before they will be away and never seen again :)). OK, lets become serious: You will find and see them sitting around in most cases. Mostly they start into their hiding places, when you allready watch them for some time! Mario

Locality: Bulgaria
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Last active: 30/8/2010
Posted on: 3/2/2010 18h07

Georg Fagerlund

Thanks Mario. Now just have to wait the weather get warmer. Just heard from a friend where to go for tortoises. Just guess wont go with him... he told me how delicious they are :((

Locality: Bulgaria
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Last active: 3/9/2010
Posted on: 3/2/2010 21h34

Ilian Velikov

Georg,you should definitely go without that friend of yours! And don't forget that both species of tortoise are strictly protected in Bulgaria and you may pay huge fines or even go to jail if you colect or harm them in any way!

Locality: Bulgaria
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Last active: 30/8/2010
Posted on: 4/2/2010 14h00

Georg Fagerlund

My opinion is that even if they wouldnt be protected they should be unharmed. Just sad to see how people dont care. Seems that most people think that if it's a snake it has to be killed and if it's a tortoise or something else... we can eat it or just dont need to care. (Sorry a little bit out of topic)

Locality: Greece
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Posted on: 4/2/2010 14h26

Ilias Strachinis

I suppose you guys already know about this site http://testudo.bspb.org/en.php?id=1

Locality: Bulgaria
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Posted on: 4/2/2010 14h37

Ilian Velikov

Yes,Ilias I know about the site but thanks anyway! :)

Locality: Bulgaria
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Posted on: 4/2/2010 20h51

Georg Fagerlund

Thanks for the link Ilias.