Amphibia-Reptilia 5 (1984): 37-41

 

Thermal Relations of Testudo hermanni robertmertensi WERMUTH in S. France

Elizabeth Pulford1, Adrian Hailey2, and David Stubbs3

1 School of Animal Biology, University College of North Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, Wales.
2 Department of Zoology, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, England.
3 School of Continuing Education, Rutherford College, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NX, England.

Abstract. The mean body temperature of T. hermanni in woodland in France was 28.5 oC (August 1981). Body temperatures were elevated above air temperature, and indirect evidence for basking and selection of an optimal microenvironment is discussed.