Spanish pond turtle
The Spanish pond turtle, also known as the Mediterranean pond turtle or Mediterranean turtle, is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae. The species is endemic to southwestern Europe and northwestern Africa.Subspecies
Including the nominotypical subspecies, there are two sub-species which are accepted.
- M. leprosa leprosa – Iberian pond turtle
- M. leprosa saharica – Saharan pond turtle
Gallery
Distribution
M. l. leprosa is widespread and common within southern Spain and Portugal, and extends along the Mediterranean coast of southwestern France. It has been introduced into Italy. It is also present throughout northern Morocco to the middle Atlas Mountains, and the northwestern slope of the High Atlas near Marrakech to Agadir. It is present from northern Algeria to central Tunisia and northwestern Libya.
M. l. saharica can be found at Oued Noun, Oued Ziz, and Oued Draa within the Anti-Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Local populations have also been reported from southern Algeria, southwestern Libya, and northern Niger.
