Planet Zoo

Hermann’s tortoise (or Testudo hermanni) is a small species of tortoise that is found throughout the coastal forests of the Mediterranean. The carapace is patterned in yellow and black and varies based on the subspecies and by individual. The Eastern subspecies is much larger than the Western, reaching sizes of up to 28cm long, compared to 18cm long. Females are generally larger than males in this species. Depending on their size, Hermann’s tortoises can weigh between 2kg and 4kg.

A large mustelid, the wolverine (or Gulo gulo) is native to the tundras and taigas of Northern Eurasia and North America. It has a stocky build with sturdy legs, a curved back, bear-like face, and small, rounded ears. It has thick brown-black fur with a yellow-white streak that runs from the head down each side of the body, rejoining at the tail. Wolverines grow between 65cm to 113cm long, 36cm to 45cm tall at the shoulder, and weigh between 9kg and 30kg. Males are slightly larger and significantly heavier than females.

Living in the tropical rainforests and grasslands of India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal, the sloth bear (or Melursus ursinus) is a medium-sized bear. It has shaggy, black fur, a light grey muzzle, and a distinctive grey-white crescent marking across its upper chest. The head is broad, with an oblong snout and hairy, tufted ears. Males and females look alike, but males are 10% to 20% larger than females, measuring between 1.4m and 1.9m long, 60cm to 90cm tall at the shoulder, and weighing 80kg to 145kg.