Hermann s tortoise & its habitat

Transcription

1 Hermann s tortoise & its habitat LIFE 08 / NAT / F /

2 Hermann s tortoise is emblematic of the hills and countryside of Corsica and the Var IIt is too often considered by the public as a pet, not to say an object. But it is first and foremost a wild animal, whose territory can extend over several hectares, frequenting various types of habitat from hour to hour and from season to season. Although it is a robust animal, with origins going back to the time of the dinosaurs, its adaptability is no longer adequate to the rapid changes human activity has on its environment: today, maintaining a tortoise population in our natural areas requires special care. It is a discreet animal, rarely seen or noticed, so an encounter with a tortoise is often a magical moment. For these moments to continue, and for our children to be able to experience them during their walks, all must contribute. The presence of tortoises often bears witness to the diversity of our environment: their habitat is often characterised by exceptional flora and fauna. So any interest we might show for this mythical animal is an opportunity to change our way of looking at the whole ecosystem of Provence or Corsica. Landowners, farmers, or simple citizens involved in activities having an impact on the tortoise s habitat ; all can take real action in its favour. In the past the traditional, varied management of rural areas was often beneficial to the species: today, habits have changed, and many areas are affected by rural exodus. This guide seeks to provide practical tips to anyone involved in activities in rural areas, allowing them to preserve the habitat of the tortoise, so as to ensure its continued presence. This booklet, the fruit of several years co-operation between scientists and managers of natural habitats, and written to conclude the European Life+ Hermann s tortoise programme, is aimed at all those who wish to actively contribute to the preservation of Hermann s tortoise in the natural or agricultural areas it inhabits.

3 General information Description Hermann s tortoise (Testudo hermanni) belongs to the family Testudinidae (terestrial tortoises) which includes 11 genuses and almost 40 species. Two subspecies are recognised: Testudo hermanni hermanni (Gmelin, 1789) or Western Hermann s tortoise, found West of the Po valley (Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, the Balearics, the Albères and Provence). Testudo hermanni boettgeri (Mojsisovics, 1889) or Eastern Hermann s tortoise, also known as the Balkan Tortoise, found in the mediterranean part of the Balkan Peninsula and in certain small islands of the Eastern Mediterranean. 3

4 Hermann s tortoise: Distribution Original distribution Distribution late 19th century Current distribution Distribution: France 4

5 France s only terrestrial tortoise, Hermann s tortoise is of medium size (maximum length of shell: 20 cm for females in the Var, 25 cm in Corsica). It s shell, domed and oval, ranges in colour from greenish yellow to orangeyellow, overlaid with a pattern of black patches fairly regular in shape. The scute (scale) just over the tail is always in two parts in the French populations. In Corsica, Hermann s tortoises are generally larger, more trapezoidal in shape, and paler and greener in colour, displaying less contrast than the tortoises of the Var. They are nonetheless difficult to differenciate from mainland tortoises. FEMALE Differenciating male from female MALE Flat plastron Concave plastron Short tail Long & thick tail Supracaudal scutes not curved towards the plastronn Supracaudal scutes curved towards the plastron Wide anal scutes Narrower anal scutes Female Male flat closed concave open 5 At any given age, the female is larger than the male

6 Most of these secondary sexual characteristics become visible once body length reaches 10 cm, at an age of 6 or 7 years. Growth ridges on the scutes allow age to be estimated up to sexual maturity, between the ages of 8 and 12 years, and sometimes up to about the twentieth year. After this the ridges are difficult to detect, and in the oldest individuals, the shell is smooth. The annual survival rate for adults is %. In certain populations, individuals can reach an age of years. The survival rate for juveniles is generally much lower, because of predation on the eggs and the young. If you encounter a tortoise If you are in a natural area within the distribution zone, (Southern & central Var, Corsica), you can assume that you are dealing with a wild tortoise in its natural habitat. However illegal capture, keeping in captivity, and international traffic in tortoises are so common that you may encounter individuals that have been moved and released by humans, or that have escaped from captivity. If the animal is healthy and not in danger, leave it where it is! Every animal removed from a natural area is a loss for the population, and one more step towards extinction. In France, the population density is so low (only a few animals per hectare) that local disappearance easily occurs. A large proportion of the tortoise s territory has already been depopulated in this way. If the animal seems to be in immediate danger (for example, crossing a road), then you can move it a few metres (to the roadside it was aiming for) in order to save its life. If the tortoise is injured or manifestly suffering from illness, it is possible in the Var to call on the specialists of the Tortoise Village in Gonfaron by calling +33 (0) Tortoises are robust animals who often survive serious injury if the appropriate treatment is administered. Once they have recovered, they are returned to where they were found. This is generally the only case where interfering with a tortoise is justified, since handling protected species without authorisation is illegal. 6

7 If the tortoise is marked in some way (shell clipping, tag, number, etc.) then it could be an individual under scientific observation, or one that has been treated and released. It is not lost and should not be interfered with. Once again, consider it as a wild animal, and leave it where it is. If it is accessible without handling, (though photographing is acceptable) then report the information via a report card. This allows its age, movement, etc., to be monitored. Whatever the situation, it is useful to report the observation of any tortoise to those professionally involved in its preservation. [ Cf. models of report cards and contact details at the end of this booklet ] Hermann s tortoise Testudo hermanni hermanni Balkan tortoise Testudo hermanni boettgeri Back markings dark and dense Back markings light and sparse Pectoral plate Femoral plate Differences between Testudo hermanni hermanni et Testudo hermanni boettgeri 7

8 Marginated tortoise: exotic TESTUDO MARGINATA Natural area of distribution: Greece & Southern Albania. Introduced into Sardinia. Elongated, guitar-shaped carapace.rear of carapace raised and wider. Markings on plastron generally triangular Single supracaudal scute (undivided) Greek tortoises: exotic TESTUDO GRAECA GRAECA TESTUDO GRAECA IBERA Natural area of distribution: Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya. Introduced into Southern Spain, the Balearics, Sardinia. Natural area of distribution: Southern Balkans, Turkey, Near East. Single supracaudal scute (undivided) 2 spurs behind the thighs. No spur at end of tail Risks of confusion with other species 8

9 Biology Like all reptiles, tortoises need the energy of the sun to heat up their bodies and start up their daily activity. But temperatures must be neither to low nor too high. Too low, and the tortoises remain hidden and inactive. Too high, and the tortoises are in mortal danger, and must stay in a cool, shady place. Temperatures between 14 C & 36 C are favourable, and optimal between 25 C & 30 C. Reptiles are able to accumulate heat in their bodies, and so are not obliged to stay in the sun all day. Generally speaking, tortoises take the sun in the morning and at the end of the afternoon. Temperatures start to be high enough for hibernation to end about mid-march, and Spring is a period of feeding and reproduction. The females require loose soil in a sunny position to bury their eggs. A varied diet Hermann s tortoises are essentially herbivores, eating annual or perennial plants within reach, and fallen fruit. Several hundred species of plant may be eaten, and so a wide range of vegetation makes a site attractive. The tortoises prefer Asteraceae (the dandelion family), Fabaceae (the clover family), Ranunculaceae (the buttercup family), and sometimes grasses. In Summer, these species are rare or dried out, so tougher plants may be eaten, such as creepers (bindweed, madder, asparagus, clematitis) or the leaves of shrubs. On the other hand, they avoid herbs such as thyme or rosemary, or resinous species. In high Summer the tortoises activity is reduced, and they seek out dense vegetation or shady under growth. While their needs are Tortoise eating a succulent limited, they must have water, like (Sedum album) all living things. In Summer, the water supplied by the vegetation they eat is reduced so acces to water, or even dew, is appreciated. The early autumn rains cool the atmosphere and stimulate regrowth of the vegetation, and the tortoises make the best of this second Spring. It is also the signal for the newborn, who emerge from their eggs through the soil softened by the rain. In their first few years, the juvenile tortoises never stray far from their place of birth. Their shell takes time to harden, and they are an easy prey: few of them will reach the venerable age of their elders. Actually, tortoises have a demography similar to that of humans: late sexual maturity, low fecundity and remarkable longevity. Not only the survival of the adults, but also the renewal of the population are essential if the population is to be maintained in the long term. While it is possible to encounter tortoises in many places in the Var, there are few places where the various generations can 9

10 be found. Most often, we find rare and elderly tortoises who bear witness to the tortoise Golden Age when the hills and countryside were maintained in a gentler, more reasonable manner. In Winter, all the tortoises hibernate under cover until the following Spring. Recently-born tortoises stay close to their place of birth. The adults seek out dense vegetation, deep in plant litter. These may be the same as their Summer quarters, except that in Winter, the tortoises carefully avoid any place that might be subject to flooding. The tortoises thus become invisible, but are not really buried in the ground. Most often, they are hidden under 2 cm of litter, dry grass and/or dead leaves, under a bush. They therefore remain vulnerable to any machine that might be used. Preparing for hibernation The tortoise takes cover Its metabolism slows down DECEMBER JANUARY Hibernation FEBRUARY Hot 35 C Warm 15 C Cold NOVEMBER The cold weather arrives Preparing for hibernation Mating MARCH The air becomes warmer: the tortoise appears and regains strength. OCTOBER APRIL The tortoise eats and goes out less and less. It is preparing to hibernate. SEPTEMBER The young appear. They weigh only 10 g and look like the adults. Emergence of the young Laying To ensure the lineage, a mate must rapidly be found. MAY After a long walk, the female digs a hole in a sunny spot and lays 2 or 3 eggs. AUGUST Summer is so hot that the tortoise is less active: it is estivating. The sun heats the earth: the embryos develop for 90 days. Estivation and incubation of eggs JULY JUNE Annual lifecycle 10

11 Tortoise hibernating under moss, leaving the shell visible. What the law says Hermann s tortoise is protected by both national and international laws. In France, The Ministerial Order of November 19 th 2007 (article 2) specifically prohibits: The destruction or removal of eggs or nests ; the destruction, mutilation, capture, removal or deliberate disturbance of animals in their natural environment ; the destruction, alteration or degradation of their reproduction sites or resting sites ; the keeping in captivity, transport, transport for sale, offering for sale, sale, purchase or use of specimens taken from the wild in France after May 12 th 1979, and in Europe after the date when the Habitats Directive - Flora & Fauna comes into effect. Since July 24 th 2006, these prohibitions (except those concerning taxidermy) no longer apply to specimens born and raised in captivity or legally introduced into France, but the dispositions of EC Regulation No. 338/97 (in particular those concerning provisions for trade) are applicable. The application of the two Orders of August 10 th 2004, concerning the keeping in captivity of wild animals, means that the keeping in captivity of Hermann s tortoise by private individuals is subject to prefectoral authorisation. Summary: Removing tortoises from their natural environment is strictly prohibited ( fine). The keeping in captivity of Hermann s tortoises can be regularised by filing a request with the Préfecture (DDPP department) and being able to establish that the origin of the animals is legal by presenting the CITES certificate. 11

12 Threats Threats to Hermann s tortoise are numerous and overlapping. None can be ignored, as all may contribute to the extinction of the species. Each of us, in our own way, can contribute to the reduction of these threats, which include: irreversible loss of habitat, fires, degradation of habitat quality, adverse agricultural and forestry practice, fragmentation of populations, predation and removal, introduction of non-native individuals (health and genetic risks). Destruction of habitat by development projects So the owners or managers of sites where tortoises are found, for whom this work is written, can exert a direct influence on certain of these threats, by changing their habits. Intensive viticulture in the Plaine des Maures Hermann s tortoise found dead after the fire Massif des Maures after the 2003 fire 12

13 Preserving and managing the habitat of Hermann s tortoise What needs must be satisfied? We have seen that Hermann s tortoise has several primordial needs which must be satisfied according to the time of day or the season. It requires: A variety of herbaceous plants as food. Loose soil covered with light vegetation, for the eggs to be laid in a sunny spot. Not an earth ploughed from Spring through to Autumn! Shrubby vegetation, not too dense, which allows light to penetrate between the bushes. Ideally, this should alternate in a mosaic with grassy patches, and a maximum of interfaces between the two. Numerous places to hide are useful. These can be brambles, bushes with dense growth, pieces of dead wood or bark, sundry plant debris such as cut branches or dead leaves, gaps under stones, terraces, or old burrows. While they are not essential, Hermann s tortoise appreciates watering points and cool wooded areas where it can pass the Summer in good conditions. All these needs should be available within an area of 1-5 hectares, which generally corresponds to one tortoise s home range. Aerial view of an open site with mosaic vegetation Ground-level view of mosaic vegetation 13

14 To intervene, or not to intervene? First and foremost, it is important to decide whether intervention on the site is really necessary. In practice, intervention is rarely urgent. It is best to take time to think, and observe the site and its inhabitants. It is also important to reason in terms of the animals home range, and ascertain whether other, complementary habitats are accessible in the surrounding area. Sites requiring intervention are usually those presenting homogenous vegetation over an area of several hectares. If the forest is difficult for a person to enter, and light practically fails to reach the ground, then the environment is probably too closed. If bushes are absent or widely-spaced, more than 10 m from each other, then the environment is doubtless too open. If the piece of land requiring intervention is small, i.e. not more than a few hundred square metres, it is worth evaluating what role the tortoises play and when they are present on the site. It may be worth taking a whole year for observation, before changing management practice. Only situations presenting an obvious risk should be dealt with immediately (cf. examples at the end of this document). Appropriate sites An environment with a wide diversity of habitats, alternating between open areas and areas with bushes, with maximum interfacing, and where it is possible to move around without too much difficulty between bushes a few metres apart, does not necessarily require rapid intervention. Unhospitable, dry and stony sites do not generally tend to acquire excessive bush cover, and the occasional passage of a herd of sheep or goats can be enough to keep the site open for a long time. Semi-open environments requiring no intervention 14

15 In the forest Herbaceous cover Hermann s tortoise is a frugal animal, eating a wide range of herbaceous plants and small fruits, which makes it well-adapted to Mediterranean vegetation. It nonetheless needs a minimum of edible plants during its period of activity. Where edible plants are not available or rare, the tortoise is absent or numbers are limited. A habitat with the appropriate ground cover, but having stony soil without edible plants, is therefore not satisfactory. It may take a long time to develop the appropriate cover after brushcutting, especially if the soil is poor. However, techniques are available to encourage the growth of herbaceous plants. The best results on an inhospitable forest floor are obtained by the combined application of wellrotted manure and the appropriate seeds (vetch, alfalfa, or mixtures of seeds for dry soil), preferably local varieties. Grazing a flock of ruminants can also enrich the soil and encourage the growth of grasses. Shrub cover Area with herbaceous cover Working with a closed environment to create a semi-open one is often not only the most important action, but also the easiest to implement. As we have seen, this is necessary mainly within vast areas of homogenous vegetation. It is not essential to intervene over the whole of the tortoises home range if semi-open areas are available in the surrounding zone. The tortoises also require densely covered areas at certain times of the year. The objective is to create an environment covered by 50 % tall shrubs and 50 % grasses. Areas of shrub cover should be dense, and at least 3 m in diameter, so it is better to leave in place groups of shrubs rather than isolated specimens. Generally, these interventions can be used to select the shrubs chosen. Preference should be given to those providing the most cover, i.e. those offering the best protection and temperature regulation for the tortoises (pistachios, phillyrea, brambles). Upright and highly-inflammable shrubs (heather, broom) should be removed. However, in places where heather is predominant, it is sometimes necessary to leave a few clumps, to attain the 50 % objective. It is also possible to select and encourage fruit trees or young cork-oaks, where these are present. The open areas should form winding paths 3 m wide, in a connected network of passages between clumps of shrubs. If the surrounding vegetation is very tall 15

16 The mosaic favourable to the species is structured by the shrub cover the paths may be wider, since the important factor is the amount of sunlight reaching the ground. Areas of constantly mown grass, as in a garden, are not necessary ; rockroses or lavender may be left here and there. Indeed, the maintenance required by these passages is less burdensome than brushcutting for fire protection. Grazing, complemented by periodic mowing, say once every 5 years, is generally sufficient. The real objective is to increase the number of areas exposed to the sun bordering areas of cover. The length of well-exposed interface beween the two is a primordial factor: the more there is, the closer we will be to reaching the objective. Trees The cutting down of trees to create a habitat favourable to Hermann s tortoise may be necessary, if only rarely. The tortoises appreciate sparse forest, so that the thinning of forest may be useful. This may be carried out regularly, or from time to time, to enlarge existing clearings or to create new ones. The clearings may be from a few dozen to a hundred square metres in extent, depending on exposure to the sun. Young pine forest, especially that resulting from recolonisation after a fire, can be very dense. Thinning can be useful but should be undertaken progressively. Moreover, this thinning produces considerable quantities of debris that must be carefully removed and dealt with. Hermann s tortoise prefers the mottled shadow of the cork-oak to that of other oaks ; so where there is competition between varieties and a choice must be made, cork-oaks should be preferred. ± 3 m 3 m Mosaic environment 16

17 In copses where Hermann s tortoise is found, it is quite possible to create clearings by rotation so as to always retain open areas here and there. This means that it is possible to meet firewood requirements, for example, while diversifying the environment. In the orchard Orchards are inevitably to be found in rural areas, and constitute an ideal element in the various habitats frequented by Hermann s tortoise, who appreciate them for both laying, feeding, and taking the sun along the edges. Here too, precautions should be taken when working the soil. Olive groves Cutting of planted parasol pines In olive-growing, there are generally more advantages than disadvantages in maintaining grass on the ground, as this maintains the qualities of the soil for longer. Herbaceous vegetation must be controlled however, which sometimes means mowing several times a year (often once in Spring and once just before the harvest), when tortoises can be killed. In Autumn, it is easy to choose a cold day to ensure that they are under cover. In Spring, it may not be so easy, and the best choice is to work very early in the morning, or during the warmest part of the day. For example, mowing early in the afternoon at the end of June can greatly reduce the risks, and keep the olive grove clean until the Autumn rains. If the olive-grower nonetheless decides to maintain the soil by regular use of a harrow, for example, it should be noted that any eggs may be destroyed, and the renewal of the tortoise population threatened. The compromise which consists of carrying out this operation outside the period where eggs may be present (Autumn & Winter) is less than ideal, as it exposes the soil to the risk of erosion. A better solution is to allow grasses to grow in a margin at least 4 m wide around the olive grove, the areas most exposed to the sun being the best choice. Those which are often in shadow are not normally concerned. Olive-grove with grass growing, favourable to Hermann s tortoise 17

18 Chestnut groves Chestnut groves are never ploughed because of the slopes. On the other hand, the ground vegetation must be cut back once a year, just before harvest time. Insofar as these orchards are generally near the forest, shrub growth at the edges of the grove can be considerable. Regular mowing of chestnut groves allows a very diverse growth of grasses, with many rare plants, so that tortoises greatly appreciate them as feeding areas. Chestnut groves often face North, which means that they are rarely used for laying ; and, indeed, the presence of tortoises is determined by the close presence of natural areas with greater exposure to the sun. In Summer, chestnut groves are greatly appreciated, as the grass is green and springs are often found there. Here too, mowing should be programmed at a time when there is little risk of encountering tortoises. This may be a hot Summer s day, or a cold day in early Autumn. If the grove is mown each year, it is easy to observe the animals in advance on the cleared ground. On the other hand, if mowing is abandoned for several years, then there will be shrub growth, and it will be more difficult to take the tortoise into account if a sudden decision is made to clean up the grove. In and around the vineyard Hermann s tortoise is a fringe-dweller: we can expect to find it on the edges of vineyards, although it is rarely to be found within the rows of vines. But in Spring, if the abundant growth of grasses is not checked, individuals may be tempted to foray and expose themselves to the risk of being crushed by the machines in daily use. It is better for the vines, and the tortoises, to keep herbaceous growth under control both in the vineyard itself and in the immediately surrounding area (tournière). Most of the time, tortoises will only be found at the meeting of tournière and natural vegetation. The winegrower should therefore concentrate his care for tortoises on this zone, which also constitutes an important refuge for many of the vineyard s auxiliary insects: it is in the winegrower s own interest to ensure the preservation of biodiversity close to his vines. For Hermann s tortoise, this area is an important one both for food and for taking the sun. The vegetation found there is often rich in edible plants, encouraged by soil conditioners (manure, etc.) used in the vineyard. 18

19 Maintainance of the tournière If the tournière is to continue to fulfil its role, it must be regularly maintained. The best option is to shred the vegetation in Winter. This zone is often ploughed ; but tortoise eggs are often laid in those parts of the tournière exposed to the sun, and should be preserved until Autumn ; so if ploughing is necessary, it should be carried out in Winter. Maintainance at the border between tournière & forest This area should of course not be used for the storing of agicultural waste. The forest vegetation must be controlled, to restrict competition with the vineyard. A flail mower is the best option. By driving the tractor around the vineyard and mowing as necessary at the edges, the destruction of animals can be avoided, on two conditions: adjust cut height to 30 cm, work in Winter (which also avoids the killing of young birds). The flail mower is quite a flexible tool, easily adaptable to the lie of the land. Stubble burning has an immense impact on Hermann s tortoise, even in Winter, and so is not recommended for maintaining field edges. Moreover, it is generally prohibited in the distribution area of the species, because of the high fire risk. Margin between cultivated land and natural areas used by the species Vineyard Tournière Edge Herbaceous layer Shrub layer Forest 19

20 Meadows and uncultivated land Interface management Meadows are used by Hermann s tortoise in a similar manner to the vineyards: they rarely venture far from the edge. On the other hand, if the grass is tall the animals are difficult to see when machines are being used. Meadows are used for two purposes: grazing, or the mowing of hay for fodder. Common in Corsica, hay meadows are rare in the Var. It is possible to reduce the risk by raising the cutter bar, but it is better to work during the hottest hours of the day. The tortoises should then be sheltering at the edges of the meadow, and the cut hay will be good and dry. On uncultivated land, the whole area may be used, and after 5 years unfarmed can become very favourable for tortoises. In certain cases the population density can be high, because the land is colonised by young tortoises from the surrounding natural areas. If the land is then mechanically farmed, there is a real risk of destroying the population. Exclosure It is possible to make meadows or uncultivated land more attractive to tortoises, especially when they are used for grazing. The development of hedges or groves of trees allows the creation of passages and zones of shelter. This can be achieved either by planting, or by leaving the vegetation to develop spon ta neously. If planting is chosen, a minimum of management will be required, and certain rules should be respected: Use appropriate varieties, if possible those attractive to tortoises. Ensure regular watering after planting, and during the two following Summers. Limit the development of hebaceaous growth at the foot of each plant (especially at the beginning). Ensure the protection of the young plants from grazing animals and wild boar. Protection can be ensured by means of an electric fence, by a simple wire in the case of spot grazing, or by a stronger fence adapted to the herbivores in question. Exclosures intended to protect spontaneous vegetation may be identical. 20

21 Shrub layer Common name Fig tree White Mulberry Black Mulberry Sour Cherry Sweet Cherry Wild Pear Rowan Service tree Wild Service tree Strawberry tree Prickly Juniper Phoenician Juniper Blackthorn, Sloe Common Hawthorn Cornelian Cherry Narrow-leaved mock privet Mastic or Lentisc tree Scientific name Ficus carica Morus alba Morus nigra Prunus cerasus Prunus avium Pyrus pyraster Sorbus aucuparia Sorbus domestica Sorbus torminalis Arbutus unedo Juniperus oxycedrus Juniperus phoenicea Prunus spinosa Crataegus monogina Cornus mas Phyllirea angustifolia Pistacia lentiscus Under-shrub layer Bindweed, Sarsaparilla Fragrant Virgin s Bower Bramble, Blackberry Tufted or Bird Vetch Hairy or Winter Vetch Smilax aspera Clematis flammula Rubus fruticosus Vicia cracca Vicia villosa SPECIES RECOMMENDED for the creation of hedges & groves (whose fruits or leaves are eaten by tortoises) 3 m Small mesh at the top Exclosure using inverted URSUS fencing Large mesh at the bottom 21

22 Management of uncultivated land Uncultivated land is often managed in the same way as low-growth maquis. It generally constitutes a good resource of grasses, so grazing is often the best option. Uncultivated land will either be in optimal condition, and the objective to maintain this by grazing, so as to avoid transformation into woodland ; or it will have potential, but will need a little improvement work. If the land has only recently been left fallow, the simplest solution is to leave it to develop naturally for a few years. Grazing may be introduced, but only for short periods and by sheep, or with the placing of exclosures. Some uncultivated land may be too heavily overrun by vegetation, with bushes that touch making it impossible to move around, and where the grassy areas useful for tortoises to take the sun are disappearing. In such cases, even intensive grazing may not be enough: brushcutting as recommended for the maquis may be necessary prior to grazing. Uncultivated land is often colonised by pines, which should be cut down, perhaps leaving just a few specimens. In all cases, the passage of machines will be restricted, and roadways established according to requirements. However, if the land is ultimately intended for other uses, to be re-farmed for example, favouring the development of tortoise habitat is not recommended. In this case the land should be progressively made unattractive to tortoises, (by intensive grazing, slowly eliminating food plants) while avoiding injury to any tortoises present. Grazing Since the origins of Hermann s tortoise, its habitat has been managed by flocks of large herbivores for a longer period of its history than it has by humans. Today, domesticated grazing animals partially reproduce the original form of maintenance its habitat enjoyed. Even if the two techniques are often complementary in practice, grazing gives a result different from that of mechanical brushcutting, allowing open areas to be maintained while conserving the shrubs the animal requires. The modelling of the vegetation is more varied, which corresponds better to the tortoises habits: areas of grass alternate with areas of cover. One of the advantages of grazing is the shaping of shrubs into half-spheres: rather than growing upwards, the bushes are grazed back towards ground level, which gives a shape much better adapted to the needs of tortoises. 22

23 Sites that have been grazed for a long time are often very favourable for tortoises and, moreover, are more resistant to fire. The introduction of grazing on a site usually means a compromise between the size of the site, its grazing resources, and the herbivores available. Overgrazing should be avoided, but more often than not, in the maquis, grazing is not enough to control shrub growth. There are then two options: invite a local breeder to graze his animals on the land, accept to look after a number of animals oneself. Both are easier if the land already has appropriate fencing. Often, it is necessary to install an electric fence according to criteria established with the owner of the animals (number & height of wires). Food supplements are sometimes necessary (salt, fodder, cereals), especially if the site is not specially rich in grasses and the objective is for the animals to limit the growth of shrubs, not always attractive as food. If the flock starts eating the bark of the trees, this is a sign that food resources have been used up and it is time to move the flock. A good plan is to establish smallish enclosures (maximum 5 hectares) and move the animals regularly from on to the other. In a larger enclosure, the animals will gather in certain areas and ignore others. By dispersing the food supplements (salt in one place, fodder in another, water in another) the animals can be encouraged to move around the whole enclosure. An ideal solution for the management of natural areas is a combination of different species, for example donkeys and sheep. This is not always possible, but animals can sometimes be borrowed. Certain species or breeds are hardier than others and will eat the woody plants. Donkeys and goats for example, and certain breeds of cow and horse. Sheep are more demanding, but should not be rejected, as they are often the only possibility. On a very overgrown site it is possible to start with large, hardy animals, who will graze back the larger vegetation and create access paths into the scrub, and then introduce sheep in the following years. Herbivores, and ruminants in particular, will tend to remain in one area for a while and fertilize the soil there, while clearing the scrub in other areas. Places where flocks of sheep spend the night, for example, will in time form grassy areas where the soil was once poor and bare. With time then, the flocks create a varied environment which is very favourable to Hermann s tortoise. Sheep and donkeys grazing in the Plaine des Maures 23

24 In the garden Today, in places where the countryside is progressively urbanised, it is not unusual for wild tortoises to live close to houses. Occasionally, they may enter a garden ; either by chance, or attracted by a source of water or a well-watered lawn in Summer. Rather than depriving them of their liberty, it is better to leave them free to roam, while ensuring their safety. If you find yourself in this situation, the first question to ask is: Can I ensure the safety of these animals? If your dog systematically gnaws them, or if you have no time to take precautions when mowing the lawn or cutting back the undergrowth, it is perhaps better to ensure that the tortoises have no access. Fine wire netting or a low wall will suffice. If this is not necessary, Hermann s tortoise may visit your garden occasionally, especially if you leave a corner with wild plants and shrubs near to a source of water. Close to housing, apparently innocuous situations may be dangerous! Young tortoise caught in a garden poorly-stretched fencing Predation by dogs Controlled burning generally kills 70 % of Hermann s tortoises, and should be avoided 24

25 COMPULSORY BRUSHCUTTING and Hermann s tortoise Around houses within or in contact with forested areas brushcutting is compulsory, for the safety of both property and people. The zone concerned includes access roads and a belt 50 m or 100 m wide, depending on local regulations. The aim is to create a break in the inflammable vegetation by eliminating a maximum of bushes. These obligations are not compatible with the preservation of a habitat favourable to Hermann s tortoise, so this should be established beyond the safety zone concerned. But care should be taken with any tortoises found there. One classic mistake is to do the brushcutting in early Summer, when the fire risk is increasing but tortoises are still active. Whenever possible, the work should be done during the preceding Winter, perhaps with the supplementary passage of a cord trimmer in early Summer. And the minimum cutting height should be about 20 cm. Helping things along Shelters To protect themselves from the heat of Summer, tortoises seek out the cover of dense bushes or well-shaded undergrowth. To hide more permanently, they use all kinds of plant debris: dead wood, fallen cork pieces, piles of dead leaves. Spaces under rocks, stone walls and burrows are also used. Tortoises use all these types of shelter to spend the difficult times of year (winter and high Summer). If this type of shelter is not sufficiently available on the site, artificial shelters may be provided. These can take the form of piles of dead leaves, stacks of logs, small shelters made of branches, low walls with appropriate cavities, or any other kind of structure under which the tortoises may take cover. The acces opening should be about 20 cm wide and 15 cm high. 1 m to 1.5 m Pile of logs creating a useful shelter 25

26 Tortoise drinking in a pond created two weeks previously Water Reptiles have the reputation of being sober creatures, but water remains essential, as for any living being. Tortoises find most of the water they need in the plants they eat. In Summer, however, the vegetation is dry and may no longer suffice ; and tortoises are capable of walking long distances to find water. Sources of water within their home range make survival easier, and limit the number of potentially dangerous journeys. Various types of watering point are possible, depending on the situation. The ideal is to take inspiration from what already exists. Reinstating a blocked-off spring or filled-in pond, lining a depression that catches water, creating small hillside dams or a mini-impluvium, facilitating access to a ditch by making the sides less steep, collecting rainwater from the roof of a cabanon ; all these possibilities occur in the field and have been tested. Other possibilities include that of installing an artificial drinking-trough (one for small game, for example, or a bowl with sloping sides, or a footbath for sheep). Drinking-troughs may also be built in concrete. In this case, the bottom should be reinforced with wire mesh to prevent cracking. The use of synthetic material (as sold in garden stores for use in ponds), placed on a geotextile liner and covered with sand, allows a pleasing result to be rapidly obtained. It will often be necessary to fill these watering points artificially: rainwater may be used if an appropriate system is installed. Pond and hillside dam created for the Hermann s tortoise LIFE programme 26

27 OBSERVER OBSERVATION REPORT CARD First Name:... SURNAME :... Tel.: Adress:... OBSERVATION OF HERMANN S TORTOISE Département:... Lieu-dit:... Commune:... Date:... GPS co-ordinates (if possible using geodesic system WGS84 and in decimal degrees, otherwise please specify system used) Latitude (N):... Longitude (E):... Sex 1 Length 2 Age 3 Marking observed 4 (please note on drawing) and/or number on metallic clip Remarks (wounds, anomalies, width of ventral scutes, etc.): Female: F - Male: M - Undetermined: U 2 3 Measure precisely, with a ruler, from the nuchal scute to the supracaudal scutes 3 Juvénile: Juv - Young adult: YA - Old adult: VA 4 Specify type of marking: clipped scutes, numbered metal clip Nuchal scute REMEMBER length (mm) Hermann s tortoise is a protected species. Transport and manipulation are illegal. Supracaudal scutes LIFE 08 / NAT / F / Please return report card to CEN PACA - 14 av. Barbaroux LE LUC joseph.celse@cen-paca.org

28 Direction régionale Act together to preserve it Implemented through: Co-financed by: de l'environnement, de l'aménagement et du Logement PROVENCE ALPES-CÔTE D'AZUR December 2014 l Written by CEN PACA l Produced by ARPE PACA - Information & communication unit / Biodiversity & natural areas unit English translation: Martyn Crossland l Photos: P. Aguilar, S. Caron, J. Celse, R. Celse, S. Celse, T. Couturier, C. Gravier, ALTIVUE, ARPE PACA l Graphics: Azoé Printing: Pure Impression Green Label (Imprim Vert) l Printed on 100% recycled paper, Ecology Label, without chlorine or FSC