Sheep and goat grazing in tortoise habitats does not appear to have any serious influence on populations, although serious problems could arise if grazing is very intense. Fortunately, sheep and goat grazing are not widespread on Mallorca Rabbits are also present in the habitats frequented by tortoises, but do not appear to pose a serious threat so long as their numbers are kept in control. Hunters control the rabbit numbers very effectively in unprotected areas, but where hunters are excluded rabbit control measures are required. T. h.robertmertensi often use rabbit burrows as refuges and for egg laying, but occasionally tortoise nests are unearthed by the unceaseless digging of the rabbits. Rabbits can also be competitive grazers to tortoises in their habitats and may cause soil erosion by their digging.
Feral pigs are low in numbers and very localised and therefore pose no real threat.
A conservation measure A proposal is being prepared to designate the whole of the S' AvaIl valley as a nature reserve. The mouth of the valley is marshland, attracting dry and wetland birds equally during their migration. As a start, the Son Cifre de Baix has been dedicated as a reserve. Through the guidance of a board of trustees of local and international representatives, it is hoped it will provide a model and give rise to expansion when developed and refined as a reserve. Testudo hermanni, GMELlN, 1789.