Furculachelys whitei??

[toriwillow]

Hi, I posted some pictures of my tortoise a while ago to get some help identifying his species. Even though i only had 2 or 3 pics at the time everyone was very helpful! There was some debate about whether he might be an Algerian Faurculachelys Whitei, but the pics I had were not good enough for anyone to be sure. I have a few better pics now so was hoping someone might be able to tell me a bit more about his species and also the sex if possible...It would be good to know whether Bernard is actually a Bernadette or not

 

[BeeBee*BeeLeaves]

Okay, where is everyone? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? I am no expert, but I want to know, too! Hello out there? A little help for toriwillow please. Beautiful tortoise is all I know. : )

 

[toriwillow]

Thank you, I have to agree he is beautiful...although I might be a little biased
I Was a bit disappointed too that I haven't had a reply to this....although I appreciate that the more knowledgeable members of the forum probably spend a whole lot of their time answering id queries etc.

 

[BeeBee*BeeLeaves]

Hopefully someone will come along and tell us their thoughts. Inquiring minds want to know, right? You and me.

Now, this > Furculachelys > this word confused me. I am not an expert, but I thought whitei came after the word Testudo. Maybe that is what happened. Sometimes the days the post happens make a difference in the amount of responses. Okay, let's see what feedback we get this round! : )

 

[Sulcata_Sandy]

Amazing shell shape! I did some research as well, and you may be correct. As far as sexing, I believe they are like other Greek...concave or convex shell.

 

[Kapidolo Farms]

Maybe you did not realize this but A. Highfield is one guys that did some of the taxonomy work with many species in that genus complex and he is there in England. It is supposed to be a rule for this listserve to not point out other listserves, but that seems to variably applied. Andy's is called the tortoisetrust. Will

 

[BeeBee*BeeLeaves]

Good article: http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/furculachelys.html

 

[Kapidolo Farms]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006J3ZQ7E/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

A fun and interesting read about the history of this species. Will

 

[BeeBee*BeeLeaves]

Oh yeah. Looks like a fun book to read. Getting. Thanks Will.

torriwillow, not only is your tortoise awesome, its species, if Algerian and from the pics and description I keep finding, it seems to me that it is, is a special jewel. Look at this too: http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/algeria.html

Where is that wonderful member egyptiandan whose posts I read extensively - holy moly super expert totally - when I first bought my two little testudo buddies??

Oh where, oh where did egyptiandan go? Oh where, oh where can he be?

 

[toriwillow]

Thanks everybody for your comments and links etc! I took Wills advice and spoke to Andy Highfield who confirmed that Bernard is in fact an Algerian Whitei and is at least 60 years old, possibly as old as 80. Amazing as that is to find out, I cant help wondering if that means Bernard may not have much time left? I know tortoises have been known for being extraordinarly long lived in certain cases but what is an average sort of life span for a tortoise...can anyone tell me?

 

[BeeBee*BeeLeaves]

toriwillow, that is so cool, now you know for sure. Remember this lovely story on the news?
I say, do not worry. Bernard is in midlife! That wild and crazy tortoise. : )

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/new...ldest-tortoise-celebrates-130th-birthday.html
and sadly, this ...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2324721/UKs-oldest-tortoise-dies-age-130-bitten-rat.html

 

[Buttercupsanddasies]

This is a good video to help with identification of Whitei

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

This is a good video to help with identification of Whitei

This thread is over ten years old.

 

[Buttercupsanddasies]

This thread is over ten years old.

Good point. My Whitei is over 55 years old and I am still learning new information on how to care for her.