The tortoise was observed in Gharfine, Jbeil District, Lebanon by a local resident.
An amelanistic hatchling spur-thighed tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata) was photographed and documented in May 2023. The tortoise was observed in Gharfine, Jbeil District, Lebanon by a local resident. It weighed just 22 grams and had a carapace length of 45 mm. Its width was measured at 38mm. It had red eyes and a pale yellow coloration on its shell and body. These are both characteristics of amelanism.
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Researchers Rami Khashab and Daniel Jablonski believe the tortoise hatched in 2022 and survived at least six months in the wild even though there are predators where it was found. The tortoise was released back into the wild after the observer took photographs of the reptile. It was released after it was deemed healthy as there are no facilities in lebanon that could care for it legally.
The Natural History Note mentions the International Centre for Tortoise Conservation reported a similar case involving a hatchling spur-sighed tortoise labeled as a case of albinism. That tortoise however, died four months after hatching.
The Natural History Note, “An amelanistic spur-thighed tortoise Testudo graeca observed in the wild” can be read on the Researchgate website.
