It's kind of a pet peeve of mine that people seem to prefer common names for their tortoises rather than the correct scientific name.
I see all the time spurred, spur thigh used, and then the inevitable response : Do you mean Sulcata, or Mediterranean? Lately, I see Steppe Tortoise being used as an alternate for Horsfields. Is Russian no longer in fashion? Personally, I don't get it. It simply adds to the confusion. Russian tortoise, Afghan tortoise, Afghanistan tortoise, steppe tortoise, central Asian tortoise, four-toed tortoise and Horsfield's tortoise are all common names for basically the same animal. Do we have to learn them all just to avoid confusion? I'm sure in some places, they're known simply as "food" OK, rant over.
I see all the time spurred, spur thigh used, and then the inevitable response : Do you mean Sulcata, or Mediterranean? Lately, I see Steppe Tortoise being used as an alternate for Horsfields. Is Russian no longer in fashion? Personally, I don't get it. It simply adds to the confusion. Russian tortoise, Afghan tortoise, Afghanistan tortoise, steppe tortoise, central Asian tortoise, four-toed tortoise and Horsfield's tortoise are all common names for basically the same animal. Do we have to learn them all just to avoid confusion? I'm sure in some places, they're known simply as "food" OK, rant over.