Archiv/Abstracts 2010

Veröffentlicht: 28.10.2010

Schildkröten im Fokus, Bergheim 7 (4) 2010: 29–34

Der jüdische Friedhof Rommerskirchen und seine zwei mediterranen Geister.

The Jewish cemetery at Rommerskirchen and his Mediterranean ghosts.

Hans-Jürgen Bidmon, Rommerskirchen

Abstract

After a short introduction how the daily news media usually cover reptile stories, a curiosity is presented: Two very old female Hermann’s tortoises which inhabit a Jewish cemetery in Germany for more than 40 years. This probably happened because the cemetery had been closed a long time ago and completely surrounded by a two meter high brick wall to protect it from vandalism. The origin of the tortoises is unknown, but their presence has been known for more than 40 years by a family who takes currently care of the cemetery. The tortoises survived without the support of any technical equipment such as a greenhouse. Their only heat is supplied by the sun heated brick walls and tombstones. They mainly feed on the plants which grow naturally and they hibernate under a pile of decomposing grass. Surprisingly they also managed to survive without being troubled by parasites or other obvious diseases. Therefore this observation raises some questions about tortoise maintenance and what other factors than high tech equipment may contribute to their well being.

Key words

Reptilia: Testudines, Testudinidae, Testudo hermanni, Jewish cemetery, German history, Tortoise maintenance, nesting, hibernation.

Author

Hans-Jürgen Bidmon
E-Mail: hjb@hirn.uni-duesseldorf.de



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