I think they are native to Xanadu.

What about all the other rumors one hears about "cherryheads"? The one that keeps coming to mind for me is the marbeling. People say that only the "true" Brazillian has marbeling. Well, if that is true, what would all the other cherryheads be considered?

Very confusing!

ARKelly

Actually, I'm waiting to hear of some serious field work done through out the range. Espically south of the Amazon basin. The about true Brazilian, what are we calling a Brazilian. Brazil is a large country with many different habitats and biomes.

Larry it's unlikely there will be any considerable research done thru-out their range.. at least according to my sources.. for that very reason! A Brazilian is probably one from where they have originated from????? Reports are that the ones in "our" collections were collected from a relatively small region of central east Brazil. And a number from this "farm" are coming in as juveniles.. notice few "marbled" ones in the pics.. http://www.geochelone.com.br:80/usa/index.cfm

Kelly the carapace marbling of Brazilians.. AKA Cherryheads.. appears to be "who knows"! It appears in lone individuals in a clutch from a colony with no marbling within any of the adults.

I'll ask around...

Terry

They look pretty well taken care of at that farm and he seems to have a true passion for them. He also returns part of the hatchlings to the wild so he is basically doing a jump start program for them like we do several native turtle species here in the states. We have an Ornate Box Turtle jump start program here in WI run by the DNR.

This post was last modified: 02-01-2008 01:27 PM by JustAnja.

Wow, they look nice. Good job raising them I would say.

Hello and welcome cdmay,

Thank you for the compliments.. I had the best teacher and mentor!

What would you say causes some of the Brazilians to have the "marbled" carapace.. and others don't?

Terry

What would you say causes some of the Brazilians to have the "marbled" carapace.. and others don't?

The marbling is genetic I think. One female I have produces some very marbled hatchlings (they begin to show this trait at a few months of age) while another female of mine doesn't produce them. This is when the two females are bred with the same male, BTW.
Also, I have found that adults with large amounts of the marbled trait likewise produce some really marbled hatchlings. But, it is quite variable within a group of hatchlings.

ps....yes, it is great to be a 'newbie'

May I introduce my friend and mentor Carl? There is not one in my humble years of raising and now breeding G. carbonaria.. AKA Redfoot tortoises.. that has helped as even a distant second than Carl May! He has been there in the past to answer every one of my Q?'s.. and there were a zillion! Hopefully he is willing to share.

Thanks Carl.

And yes Terryo I am humble.. unfortunately few recognize it - which is my fault - Robyn does.

Terry

Thanks Terry, I thought it was quite obviouse. Nice introduction Terry. Welcome Carl I know you will be such an asset to this site and already are to many and to the torts in your care.

This post was last modified: 02-02-2008 10:19 AM by Crazy1.