Identification

[Jlant85]

I was sent this photo and I IDed them as T.G. Greaca. I asked a friend of mine (mr. Hermann himself Chris) and he IDs them as an Ibera too. Just wanted to know what every one else think... @

 

[Yvonne G]

I would never presume to outguess Chris. He is my go-to guy when it comes to I.D.ing the testudo species.

 

[diamondbp]

I second what Yvonne said^^^^

 

[tglazie]

Definitely ibera. Those two look exactly like my fella, only younger. He has a slightly higher dome than these two, but the cranial characteristics, the plastral formation, nearly every characteristic is a dead on match.

T.G.

 

[Pawciorc]

Male ibera, female graeca

 

[HermanniChris]

Definitely both ibera, there just ain't no doubting' it Joe! I know your friend is mad, but he needs to know the truth.

 

[Jlant85]

HA I just read what i posted and boy do i feel stupid! I meant to say is that i IDed them as T.G. Ibera but the guy insted that its T.G. Greace... sorry was out in the park w/ my son while posting this! hahahahahahah @HermanniChris dude my bad! hahahahahahaha

 

[Jlant85]

@HermanniChris Dont worry dude... i never doubted you... He wanted answers so i shall provide! lol...

 

[Pawciorc]

Pic 4 and 5 (platrons) show quite significant difference in lines between abdominal and femoral scutes. Female has the characteristic sharp angle downwards at the end (typical for graeca) , oposite to male's gentle curve (typical for ibera). I based my previous opinion on that.

 

[bouaboua]

Very pretty torts! !

 

[HermanniChris]

@Pawciorc definitely an interesting point, however that trait is unfortunately unreliable in properly differentiating them one from another. So is the assumption that T. g. graeca always have a rounded first vertebral scute while T. g. ibera's is straight edged. These are outdated identification tools much like some of the ones used for Hermann's, example: only western Hermann's tortoises have black bands on the plastron, which we now know is false. The truth with any Greek or Hermann's tortoise is that variation is enormous in all subspecies and locales. Makes things quite difficult!

 

[Jlant85]

Here's another one for ya... ^_^ How bout this guy?

 

[Pawciorc]

Looks like Graeca for me.