Cherry head or not?

JesseS

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Ok I know this is asked a lot but I'm curious on opinions.
We acquired Nebbie from a rough spot in a 25 gallon tank with 2 other redfoots twice her size, no sign of humidity and vet immediately dx a LRI. She's on injections now.
I was told she is a cherry head.
What are your thoughts? (Pics below)
She has a semi dark plastron, and red elbows.. but her head is hard to decipher on colour.
She is only 16 months so I know not sexed but "she" is stuck for now 💜💚20220812_093752.jpg20220812_093737.jpg20220812_093556.jpg20220812_093552.jpg
 

William Lee Kohler

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Supposedly if the elbow scale is there regardless of color they are at least a hybrid with the "cherryhead" genes present. As far as I'm concerned if they are not RED on head neck and leg/tail scales they're not a cherryhead. The only TRUE one and the first one I ever saw had carmine red head, neck and leg/tail scales and a Black shell with no ugly marbling on it. You could say it colored my opinion or view of what one should look like. This is the only true cherryhead I've ever seen including online or for sale sites so apparently rare or kept in secret. I'd love to see any others like it.
 

JesseS

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Supposedly if the elbow scale is there regardless of color they are at least a hybrid with the "cherryhead" genes present. As far as I'm concerned if they are not RED on head neck and leg/tail scales they're not a cherryhead. The only TRUE one and the first one I ever saw had carmine red head, neck and leg/tail scales and a Black shell with no ugly marbling on it. You could say it colored my opinion or view of what one should look like. This is the only true cherryhead I've ever seen including online or for sale sites so apparently rare or kept in secret. I'd love to see any others like it.
Its so interesting the variations that are possible! This one does have a red tail from above.
I wonder if their colouring is diluted from poor care previous? Or maybe needs to shed.
 

JesseS

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No
Not a cherryhead
But I wouldn't rule out a hybrid.
He has mini arm spurs and a darkness to a lot of the plastron.
(I can't see the nose scales well)
Is this better for their nose scales?
Her head scales look so dry and almost burnt to me. I'm interested to see what they look like after more time in humidity and maybe a shed.
20220809_174832.jpg
 

ZEROPILOT

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Is this better for their nose scales?
Her head scales look so dry and almost burnt to me. I'm interested to see what they look like after more time in humidity and maybe a shed.
View attachment 348775
Yellowfoot, Redfoot and Cherryhead Redfoot have different nose scale patterns (amongst other things)
I had hoped that his nose would answer some questions.

My guess will remain a Northern hybrid with some Cherryhead traits.
He'll probably be beautiful at any rate. Even though his color is a little dull, there is a lot of it and I think he's fantastic
 

JesseS

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Yellowfoot, Redfoot and Cherryhead Redfoot have different nose scale patterns (amongst other things)
I had hoped that his nose would answer some questions.

My guess will remain a Northern hybrid with some Cherryhead traits.
He'll probably be beautiful at any rate. Even though his color is a little dull, there is a lot of it and I think he's fantastic
Thank you so much!
Her personality is absolutely intoxicating too, she got a worm for the first time yesterday and loved hunting it down haha
 

JesseS

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Yellowfoot, Redfoot and Cherryhead Redfoot have different nose scale patterns (amongst other things)
I had hoped that his nose would answer some questions.

My guess will remain a Northern hybrid with some Cherryhead traits.
He'll probably be beautiful at any rate. Even though his color is a little dull, there is a lot of it and I think he's fantastic
Ok super close up right after a bath.20220815_102723.jpg20220815_102736.jpg
Yellowfoot, Redfoot and Cherryhead Redfoot have different nose scale patterns (amongst other things)
I had hoped that his nose would answer some questions.

My guess will remain a Northern hybrid with some Cherryhead traits.
He'll probably be beautiful at any rate. Even though his color is a little dull, there is a lot of it and I think he's fantastic
20220815_102723.jpg20220815_102736.jpg
Ok super close up after a soak.
 

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REDFOOT WRANGLER
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Nasal Shape​

Cherry reds have a more pronounced nasal structure, which also appears brightly colored compared to other parts of their heads. Meanwhile, the noses of red-foots are less bulbous and darker in color.

I simply can't say.
But I don't see Cherryhead there.
There are members here that are Redfoot gurus and I'd like to hear their opinions.
This little guy or girl has me stumped. And I'm going with HYBRID as my final answer.
 

William Lee Kohler

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Great pictures. I don't see the big colored elbow scale so think you have a Northern Redfoot only. In my experience tortoises do not shed. At least not like Lizards and Snakes do. They shed like we do.
 

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Great pictures. I don't see the big colored elbow scale so think you have a Northern Redfoot only. In my experience tortoises do not shed. At least not like Lizards and Snakes do. They shed like we do.
So, highly colored Northern?
 

William Lee Kohler

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Not really. This just looks like base color for a northern or regular Redfoot to me. I have one I've raised from a baby almost exactly the same color. I saw a baby regular Redfoot that Michael Thathuvaswamy hatched for sale with better color than most so called cherryheads. It was beautiful.
 

domalle

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It is a typical classic northern redfooted tortoise Chelonoidis carbonarius without question. Many of the other forms of redfoot have the spur. The head color and plastral markings are definitive.
 

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