In Morocco, the class Reptilia is represented by 116 species, showcasing a rich diversity of reptiles. Turtles are represented by only a few species, but the intraspecific diversity within tortoises and terrapins is notably significant. This diversity reflects the variety of habitats and ecological niches that these reptiles occupy across the country.
Tortles are represented by 8 species belonging to two superfamilies: Testudinoidea (which includes tortoises and terrapins) and Chelonioidea (which includes sea turtles).
Cryptodira are a suborder of Testudines (turtles) that includes most living tortoises and turtles. They are characterized by their ability to retract their heads into their shells in a vertical plane, as opposed to Pleurodira, which retract their heads laterally
They are characterized by their distinctive shell shape, which is typically domed and relatively heavy, as well as their terrestrial or semi-auatique lifestyle.
The Mediterranean Pond Turtle (Mauremys leprosa) displays significant genetic diversity, with distinct lineages in Morocco shaped by historical climatic changes and geographical barriers. It is recognized to have two main subspecies:
- Mauremys leprosa leprosa – Found primarily in northern Morocco, this subspecies is closely related to populations in the Iberian Peninsula and southern France.
- Mauremys leprosa saharica – Distributed in southern Morocco, this subspecies extends into Algeria, Tunisia, and northwestern Libya.
The most notable species of this family is Testudo graeca, native to northern Africa, including Morocco.
In Morocco, Testudo graeca is found from the Anti-Atlas region (Tiznit-Sidi Ifni) to the Tingitana Peninsula, occupying much of the Atlantic plain. It also inhabits the Mediterranean coast, extending from the eastern Rif to the Algerian border.
Subspecies in Morocco
- Testudo graeca graeca (Souss Valley Tortoise)
- Testudo graeca marokkensis (Moroccan Tortoise)
- Testudo graeca whitei (Moorish Tortoise)
Main Threats to Testudo graeca in Morocco
- Illegal collection for domestic and international trade.
- Habitat degradation due to overgrazing and urbanization.
- Road mortality.
The Atlantic coasts of Africa are home to five species of marine turtles, all classified on the IUCN Red List. These include :
Family Cheloniidae
- Olive Ridley turtle, Lepidochelys olivacea (vulnerable)
- Green turtle, Chelonia mydas (endangered),
- Hawksbill turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata (critically endangered),
- Loggerhead turtle, Caretta caretta (vulnerable).
Family Dermochelyidae
- Leatherback turtles, Dermochelys coriacea (vulnerable),
Atlantic Africa hosts some of the world's most important nesting sites for these species. Gabon and Congo have the largest number of leatherback nesting sites globally. Olive Ridley turtles lay eggs along the entire Atlantic coast from Angola to Mauritania, with Central and West Africa housing one of the world’s largest populations of non-arribadas Olive ridleys. Green turtles nest in large numbers on islands like Poilao in the Bijagos Archipelago (Guinea Bissau) and Bioko Island (Equatorial Guinea). The Hawksbill turtle, extremely rare in the region, nests on São Tomé, with just a few dozen females remaining, making this population a global conservation priority. Lastly, the Cape Verde archipelago serves as the most important Loggerhead nesting site in the Eastern Atlantic.
Source UICN, 2022