Non-lethal injury in Hermann's tortoise, Testudo hermanni, in Croatia and Montenegro

摘要

Field injuries in Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni) from Croatia and Montenegro are described. In Montenegro, male damage scores were significantly lower than those of females, but in Croatia the difference was not significant. Regression analysis indicated that damage score in Croatia was associated with growth ring number (i.e. age) but in Montenegro with body mass, although only in females, Based on mark-release/recapture data, damaged tortoises were recaptured more frequently than undamaged tortoises. No significant differences were found between body mass levels or body temperatures of damaged or undamaged tortoises.