Differences

[Raymo2477]

So I'm trying, again, to wrap my head around the differences between boettgeri and hercegovenis.

I got Wegehaupt's book and I poor over the pictures and info. I understand the ingeniual scute thing, but honestly with photos I can really see much difference.

Is there any trick to it? If so I'd like to know.

 

[Tom]

Visit hermannichris's website for a more thorough explanation.

@HermanniChris ,
Can you post some links here for us? I recall seeing a thread explaining this here on TFO too.

 

[HermanniChris]

Thanks Tom.

The differences are subtle which is why they've now grouped hercegovinensis with boettgeri and consider them just a geographical variant. Still, they certainly are different. Shape is a factor with most hercegovinensis being more rounded or oval. Highest point of the carapace is usually situated more towards the middle or front and a "sloppy version" of the key hole on the fifth vertebral scute which is a main trait for hermanni hermanni is often seen on them. The supracaudal shield is usually divided and when inguinal scutes are present, they are usually small and rather stout as opposed to longer more noticeable ones seen in the other 2 subspecies. The head almost always has areas of green-yellow scales at the back of it and the face is stout with a rounded snout. Basically the head is shorter and rounder than the other 2 subspecies. The humeral scute seam on the plastron almost always dips down in a sharp "U" shape. The plastral bands are always broken and frayed but hold more definition and neatness making them resemble the western subspecies more than the eastern in many cases. General color and markings set them closer to the western subspecies to an extent.

The best way to think of hercegovinensis is kind of a "meeting place" between the eastern and western subspecies. However, like all other Mediterranean tortoise species, variation makes this all very difficult.

 

[Camp]

So I'm trying, again, to wrap my head around the differences between boettgeri and hercegovenis.

I got Wegehaupt's book and I poor over the pictures and info. I understand the ingeniual scute thing, but honestly with photos I can really see much difference.

Is there any trick to it? If so I'd like to know.

I have been considering getting Wegehaupt's book "Naturalistic Keeping and Breeding of Hermann's Tortoises" is it worth the price?