At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Reptiles & Amphibians
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The Egyptian tortoise is one of the smallest tortoises in the world, a pale desert species. It is assessed as Critically Endangered.
It has been almost wiped out across much of its former range.
Range & habitat
Deserts of North Africa and the Middle East, around the eastern Mediterranean.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Collection for the pet trade
- Habitat loss to agriculture
- A tiny remaining range
Why it matters
A tiny desert tortoise nearly lost to the pet trade and habitat loss, the Egyptian tortoise is a flagship for North African and Middle Eastern dryland conservation.
Sources
Sources for Egyptian Tortoise
- IUCN Red List — look up Egyptian Tortoise (authoritative status)
- reptile-database.reptarium.cz
Frequently Asked Questions
How small is the Egyptian tortoise?
It is among the smallest tortoises in the world, with adults only around 10-13 cm long, and a pale shell that helps it cope with desert heat.
Why is the Egyptian tortoise Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite collection for the pet trade, habitat loss to agriculture, and a tiny remaining range. See the IUCN Red List.
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