ID Please

[Tom]

This was basically dumped with a friend of mine. Obviously captive raised, albeit poorly, male, Gopherus. Around 8 years old. We were told that it was a CDT, but someone else recently wasn't so sure. Can anyone confirm or deny which species?

 

[Tom]

Bump.

 

[Yvonne G]

I think Gopherus agassizii because it has a nuchal scute:

http://www.tortoise.org/archives/gophdiff.html

But the overall shape of the shell is Texas. Maybe a cross between the two? Send a PM to Danny. He's good at that.

 

[Tom]

I think Gopherus agassizii because it has a nuchal scute:

http://www.tortoise.org/archives/gophdiff.html

But the overall shape of the shell is Texas. Maybe a cross between the two? Send a PM to Danny. He's good at that.

Thanks. I will.

 

[egyptiandan]

Good call Yvonne It is a cross between Gopherus agassizii and G. berlandieri, Tom.

Danny

 

[Stephanie Logan]

Criminy, you guys are good.

Is that prominent under-neck scute the definitive feature of Desert Tortoises then, or is that found on other species as well?

 

[egyptiandan]

Those are the gular scutes Stephanie. There are a few species with long gular scutes, some paired, Gopherus agassizii, G. berlandieri and Centrochelys sulcata, some single, Astrochelys yniphora and Chersina angulata.

Danny

 

[Tom]

Ugh! WHY would somebody do that?! Both species are great just the way they are. Anybody ever heard of neutering a tortoise? I want to make sure it never breeds.

So what are the legal implications for a hybrid? If its not a CDT, do all the laws still apply?

 

[Yvonne G]

More than likely the people who had the parents had no clue that they were different kinds of tortoise. And yes, the Calif. Dept. of Fish & Game regulations apply to all Gopherus species that are in California. So if you have a Florida you have to register it. A Texas, must register, etc.

 

[Shelly]

Ugh! WHY would somebody do that?

Once you've had Gopherus berlandieri, you never go back.

 

[Madortoise]

Very interesting. Hope you can take a good care of him, Tom. Did you name him yet?

 

[Tom]

Very interesting. Hope you can take a good care of him, Tom. Did you name him yet?

He's not mine. Belongs to my friend. He hadn't named him yet when I talked to him last. I know he'll be fine.