Hermann's Tortoise

Description:

Hermann's tortoises mating. The male is very aggressive and persistently pursues the female, biting her head and feet, by stimulating the spur horny tail, and repeatedly tries mating fitting on the back of the female. During mating and in the early stages of courtship, the male opens his mouth and emits characteristic sounds, audible even to several tens of feet away. In coupling the male is rather aggressive and violent and can therefore cause injury to the female.

Habitat:

Spotted in a hiking trail of Seih-Sou, the suburban forest of Thessaloniki, Greece.