Any Guesses?

[Yvonne G]

The only clues I can give you are - I normally get desert tortoises, sulcatas and box turtles. I live in Central California. This is the only picture I have so far.



I received an email wanting to know if I have room for this tortoise that was found wandering the neighborhood. They asked neighbors and no one claimed it.

I'm thinking Greek???? When I get the tortoise I'll add more pictures.

 

[Baoh]

It is a Gopherus species. Likely a DT, but tough to be sure of which with only the one photo. Bet on DT unless further evidence of an alternative is highly compelling.

 

[Mortis_thetortoise]

Chaco ?

 

[Yvonne G]

Sorry I never updated this old thread. They called me back to tell me that they found the tortoise's owner and wouldn't be bringing it to me.

 

[Markw84]

That was a Testudo species, though, Yvonne. Definitely not Gopherus with that wide nuchal.

 

[Yvonne G]

That was a Testudo species, though, Yvonne. Definitely not Gopherus with that wide nuchal.

I agree. Looked like a greek to me.

 

[Baoh]

The forelimb tubercles are consistent with a DT and not consistent with a Greek. The wide nuchal scute exists on many desert tortoises.

@HermanniChris

 

[Yvonne G]

The forelimb tubercles are consistent with a DT and not consistent with a Greek. The wide nuchal scute exists on many desert tortoises.

@HermanniChris

I see. I pulled up google images of greeks, and their front legs are more mini sulcata-like.

"Tubercles", huh? I often wondered what they were called.

 

[HermanniChris]

100% is not a Testudo. Certainly is a Gopherus even with the wide nuchal scute. Even the scale arrangements and morphology of the head reveal it’s a Gopherus.

 

[cdmay]

That was a Testudo species, though, Yvonne. Definitely not Gopherus with that wide nuchal.

Agree. Appears to be an old female Testudo.
I'm out of my realm here but it looks like an a big old hermanni.

 

[cdmay]

Agree. Appears to be an old female Testudo.
I'm out of my realm here but it looks like an a big old hermanni.

Wait, wait....sorry. I didn't consider California DT.
I was thinking the consensus was Gopher tortoise like we have in Florida .
Changing my opinion...maybe it is actually a California desert tortoise.

 

[Baoh]

Wait, wait....sorry. I didn't consider California DT.
I was thinking the consensus was Gopher tortoise like we have in Florida .
Changing my opinion...maybe it is actually a California desert tortoise.

No, Gopherus as in the genus. CDT is indeed the most likely of the Gopherus options here.

 

[cdmay]

No, Gopherus as in the genus. CDT is indeed the most likely of the Gopherus options here.

Yep. The California tortoises are very different from our gophers.
The tortoise above threw me and didn't register as a gopher tortoise, but rather an old Testudo....I fully admit it.
Sorry.