Afghan tortoise  (Testudo horsfieldii)

Range

Found from the Caspian Sea southward through Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and eastward through Kazakhstan to Xinjiang, China (2).

View a distribution map for this species at UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

Habitat

Native to arid, barren habitats such as rocky deserts and hillsides, as well as sandy steppes and grassy areas close to springs (6) (7). Winters in these environments can be particularly harsh and cold, with temperatures in much of the tortoise’s range well below freezing (6).

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