09-15-2007, 08:02 AM
Hybrids are a bit more common than one may think. There are several crosses between many of the mediterranean tortoises out there. There are records and proof of Testudo marginata and Testudo ibera breeding as well as Testudo marginata and Testudo hermanni boettgeri breeding. Many forms of the greek tortoises breeding with each other is considered to be a big reason for the mass confusion surrounding the graecas or "greeks". The problems began when the Europeans would trade tortoises decades ago thus leading to the release of different subspecies into another species' range. This would in return cause natural cross breeding. Many species of turtles and tortoises naturally cross breed because their ranges overlap. This is common with several of the North American Box Turtles and Painted Turtles, and even more common with many species of slider and cooter. Crosses between The North American Wood Turtle and the Blanding's Turtle are clearly noted in many photo gallerys on the net and a new hybrid which is the North American Wood Turtle and the Western/Pacific Pond Turtle has just come into play. Don't forget that there are also Bog Turtle/Spotted Turtle hybrids as well, but these are very rare and very frowned upon due to the the Bog turtle's endangered status. To narrow it down, yes tortoises can and do cross breed on more occassions than you think, even Leopards and Sulcattas but when it comes to promoting this kind of thing, it is simply not a good idea. While many of the mediterranean tortoises can actually create hybrids on their own in the wild, it's something we should not practice in captivity. So can it be done? Yes. Should it be done? No.
-Chris
-Chris
