In semi-arid areas of the Saharan Atlas region in Algeria, 33 tortoises (Testudo graeca) were examined for ticks in 2017-2018. All ticks found were adults and they were identified as Hyalomma aegyptium. For the total sample studied, the infestation prevalence was 63.6 %. The mean infestation intensity was 4.04 and the parasite abundance was 2.57. The infestation prevalence, the mean infestation intensity and the parasite abundance in female tortoises were higher than in males, but this variation was statistically insignificant. The number of ticks was positively and significantly correlated with tortoises' body measurements: body weight, straight carapace length, carapace height, mid-body carapace width and plastron length. The parasitism by female and male ticks separately was not statistically significant. A total of 40 % of ticks were found attached to the hind limbs, 37.7 % to the forelimbs, 10.6 % to the neck, 11.7% to the tail, and no individuals were detected on the carapace. Statistically, the forelimbs and the neck were the preferred attachment areas for H. aegyptium.