Help Me Identify This Hermann.

[mkp04]

I need help identifying this little Hermann's tortoise! The person I bought it from says it's a Dalmatian Hermann/Testudo Hermanni Hercegovinensis, and I can't see why that wouldn't be true.

But since I might order another tortoise from him, I'd like to be sure.

Thanks in advance!

 

[SweetGreekTorts]

@HermanniChris would be able to help with that. He's very knowledgeable with that species. You can also check out his website at www.hermannihaven.com, that has all the different Hermann's that you can compare to, with detailed photos and descriptions.

 

[mkp04]

@HermanniChris would be able to help with that. He's very knowledgeable with that species. You can also check out his website at www.hermannihaven.com, that has all the different Hermann's that you can compare to, with detailed photos and descriptions.

I'll be sure to check that out, thanks!

 

[JoesMum]

@HermanniChris is the man you need for ID

If you get another, plan on keeping them entirely separately. They aren't social and don't want company. Groups of 3 or more may succeed in a very large enclosure (4'x8' per tortoise) but there are no guarantees. If you have a pair, one will be dominant and make the subordinate one's life a total misery.

 

[mkp04]

@HermanniChris is the man you need for ID

If you get another, plan on keeping them entirely separately. They aren't social and don't want company. Groups of 3 or more may succeed in a very large enclosure (4'x8' per tortoise) but there are no guarantees. If you have a pair, one will be dominant and make the subordinate one's life a total misery.

I've already got another enclosure prepared for the new one!
I've heard that the baby Hermanns do function alright together, is this true?

 

[JoesMum]

I've already got another enclosure prepared for the new one!
I've heard that the baby Hermanns do function alright together, is this true?

Not as a pair. None of the Testudo are reliable as a pair

 

[mkp04]

Not as a pair. None of the Testudo are reliable as a pair

I see.

 

[mkp04]

Update: bought two Dalmation Hatchlings more from the same guy and they'll be living with the one I have as a trio in a 6x4 enclosure (will be closed chamber), which will have loads of plants and hiding spots.

They will be sent Monday and arrive Tuesday.

 

[mkp04]

Update: bought two Dalmation Hatchlings more from the same guy and they'll be living with the one I have as a trio in a 6x4 enclosure (will be closed chamber), which will have loads of plants and hiding spots.

They will be sent Monday and arrive Tuesday.

I have on other enclosure ready for use as well and can build a third one with ease in case the trio can't thrive together.

 

[HermanniChris]

It doesn't look to be a Dalmatian but babies are often tough to be sure on from outside sources. I'll need photos of the parents to be certain.

 

[mkp04]

It doesn't look to be a Dalmatian but babies are often tough to be sure on from outside sources. I'll need photos of the parents to be certain.

Maybe it's an Eastern, he sells those as well. I'll ask if I can get photos of the parents though.

 

[mkp04]

@HermanniChris Not sure if this link works, but these are the only photos I can find of the parents from him atm.

file:///C:/Users/Bruger/Pictures/TS3%20Ranks/Billeder_Skildpadde,%20unger%202018,%20Sm%C3%A5....html

 

[HermanniChris]

Can’t seem to get it to work

 

[Marius5013]

Can’t seem to get it to work

Damn, I'll try to get the pictures from the guy.

 

[mkp04]

@HermanniChris He doesn't have any photos of the parents at the moment as they are brumating.
I did get a few close-ups of my own little guy/gal's face and legs etc.
As they are taken from the side and much closer, perhaps you'll be able to spot some key stuff in determining the subspecies.

Btw he did send me a few photos of some of his adults, but since he also has Easterns and he didn't say which species he was showing in the phots, I am not certain they will be of much assistance in determining the species.

 

[mkp04]

I did ask him which species were in the photos he sent, but he hasn't responded yet.

 

[HermanniChris]

Thanks for the better photos. Yours looks to be either T. h. boettgeri or a mix between boettgeri and Dalmatian.
I don’t have detailed pics of my babies at my disposal this second but here’s a quick shot of 2 born here this summer. Parents are of pure, coastal Croatian locale. You can see a distinct difference just in the carapace alone.

 

[mkp04]

Thanks for the better photos. Yours looks to be either T. h. boettgeri or a mix between boettgeri and Dalmatian.
I don’t have detailed pics of my babies at my disposal this second but here’s a quick shot of 2 born here this summer. Parents are of pure, coastal Croatian locale. You can see a distinct difference just in the carapace alone. View attachment 259038

Thanks for the photos, I can definitely see the difference.
I do hope he/she is not a mix as that would be the second time that happens, it seems to be the same with quite a lot of Danish breeders when it comes to impure Hermanns tortoises.

 

[mkp04]

@HermanniChris I also got some photos of his adults, the ones he claims are Dalmatian Tortoises.
Sorry if I'm just peppering you with photos, I just want to be absolutely sure that they aren't hybrids or are. If they are I'll find a different breeder, as I want to breed in the future but don't want hybrids.

 

[HermanniChris]

Again hard to be sure with these photos. Some of them look Dalmatian while others need to be seen much better because they hold boettgeri traits at first glance.