← Marginated Tortoise care guide
How Big Do Marginated Tortoises Get?
Marginated tortoises reach 25 to 40 centimetres and up to about 5 kilograms, making them the largest European tortoise and the largest species in the genus Testudo.
Published adult size figures
| Figure | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult shell length | 25-40 cm (10-15.7 in) | From this site's care guide |
| Adult weight | Up to about 5 kg | Substantial |
| Rank | Largest European tortoise and largest Testudo | Bigger than Hermann's or Greek |
Checked September 20, 2026 against the sources at the foot of this page. Where sources differ the range is shown rather than averaged.
Getting there
Slow to a genuinely larger endpoint
The growth curve resembles other Testudo; the destination does not. Plan the enclosure for the largest European tortoise rather than an average Mediterranean one.
Flared rear scutes develop with maturity
The marginal flaring that gives the species its name becomes pronounced in adults.
What that size means in practice
Do not use Hermann's figures
A Hermann's tortoise reaches 6 to 8 inches; a marginated reaches up to about 15.7. Enclosure guidance shared across the Mediterranean species consistently undersizes this one.
Outdoor keeping suits them
Their size and natural brumation make outdoor housing in temperate climates both practical and preferable.
Common questions
How big do marginated tortoises get?
Adults reach 25 to 40 centimetres, roughly 10 to 15.7 inches, and weigh up to about 5 kilograms. They are the largest European tortoise and the largest Testudo species.
Are marginated tortoises bigger than Hermann's?
Substantially. A Hermann's reaches 6 to 8 inches while a marginated can reach nearly 16, which means enclosure guidance written for Hermann's tortoises undersizes them.
What is the flared shell on a marginated tortoise?
The flared rear marginal scutes that give the species its name. They become pronounced with maturity and are the easiest way to distinguish an adult from other Testudo.