Found a tortoise in Abu Dhabi, not sure if its wild or abandoned?

GemmaRen

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Jun 14, 2022
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Abu Dhabi
We found this little guy/gal outside of a school in Abu Dhabi (it does not belong to the school). If he/she is wild and native i have been advised to release him/her.
Would any of you be able to advise what type of tortoise he/she is?

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Maro2Bear

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Take a look through here

 

wellington

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When you get it figured out, if its native to your area, put him back in a safe place but where you found him
 

2turtletom

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We found this little guy/gal outside of a school in Abu Dhabi (it does not belong to the school). If he/she is wild and native i have been advised to release him/her.
Would any of you be able to advise what type of tortoise he/she is?

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It appears to be Testudo graeca - Abu Dhabi is too far south for this animal to be wild. They are on the other side of the Persian Gulf in Iran. Take a look at the range map here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&subview=map&taxon_id=40023
 

Sarah2020

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It needs to be moved away from gravel as they will eat and get stones stick in their tummy. They need to be on coconut coir or orchid bark so they can burrow. Also ensure shallow water dish it can walk into and sit in, similar to a flower pot dish is provided with fresh water 24x7. Also provide another shallow dish with fresh green leaves refreshed daily.
Ideally it needs to be released or owner located.
 
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