The Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise is widespread across southern Europe and south-west Asia. It prefers open shrubland where it browses on leaves, fruit and flowers, chews worms and snails and even consumes animal dung. When threatened by predators, it retreats into the safety of its shell, where it is protected from most dangers. However, armour-plating is no defence against the pet trade: the trapping of wild tortoises has severely reduced their populations throughout the region.