The Spur-thighed Tortoise or Greek Tortoise (Testudo graeca) is often confused with Hermann's Tortoise (Testudo hermanni). However, there are some notable differences:

1. The Spur-thighed Tortoise has one whole shield plate above the tail where Hermann's Tortoise has this shield plate split in two;
2. The Spur-thighed Tortoise has notable spurs on each thigh where the Hermann's Tortoise doesn't;
3. The Spur-thighed Tortoise (usually) has large scales on the front legs where Hermann's Tortoise has small scales;
4. The Spur-thighed Tortoise (usually) has large symmetrical markings on the top of the head where Hermann's Tortoise has only small scales;
5. The Spur-thighed Tortoise (usually) has a dark central fleck on the underside (plastron) where Hermann's Tortoise has two black bands.

My nephew Ebe spotted it in the thicket near the Rozhen Monastery in Melnik.
Without hesitation he managed to get his way through nasty blackberry bushes and picked it up.
I am well aware of the fact that you shouldn't pick up these animals but we did so very shortly and released it almost immediately.

Melnik, Bulgaria, 30 July 2017