
Fossils of the marginated tortoise (Testudo marginata) have been discovered in Crete, and there is an increasing presence of tortoises from this species being found on the island.
Its carapace can reach a length of 38 cm, and it typically weighs around 5 kg. This species is, in fact, the largest among European tortoises.
This species is omnivorous, and female tortoises from this species typically lay between 2 to 12 eggs in holes dug in the ground. These eggs usually hatch after a period of about 2.5 months.
Photo: Wikipedia

The fauna of Crete

The Cretan endemic butterfly Zerynthia cretica

Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus Barbatus)

Griffon Vulture (Gyps Fulvus)

Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni)

Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata) (Hieraaetus fasciatus)

Eleonora's Falcon

Giorgalidiko: Domestic Horse, North-western European Horse

The Cretan Badger

Golden Eagle (Aquila Chrysaetos)

Mute Swan

Cretan wildcat

Butterflies and Moths of the island

Cretan Tracker: Europe's Oldest Hound, a Gift from Zeus

Cretan shrew

Kri-kri, the Cretan Wild Goat (Capra aegagrus cretica)

Least Weasel

Bats

The Balkan Terrapin or Western Caspian Terrapin (Mauremys Rivulata)

Cat Snake

Balkan Whip Snake

Greek turtle

Water Snake

European Ratsnake or Leopard Snake

The Bullfrog

Common Kingfisher

Caretta Caretta (Loggerhead Sea Turtle)

Coleoptera