Leopard Tortoise Subspecies

[Tortuga_terrestre]

Calling all Leopard Tortoise keepers! Have you ever wondered what specific region of Africa your Leopard comes from? Please post pictures of your Leo or colony; so that we can break up them into groups or country of origin if possible. Ive noticed many differences between Leos; Mainly color patterns. Some are very light colored with no spots or speckles... Some are very dark with lots of spots or speckles. After discussing and agreeing their on their origins.. We can make a permanent thread where new members can see the differences and use it as a reference. Here is my pair:

Close up Pattern comparison:

---

Here are 2 additional males: Do you see the difference?

 

[yagyujubei]

I don't think that what you'd like to do is possible. Since almost no one knowes the original origin of their leopard's genetics. All of the leopards in the US probably come from only a few places. They haven't been imported from every country where they are native. As far as their shell patterns go, I haven't seen any indication that the patterns differ greatly even between the subspecies. Shell patterns could probably be categorized broadly into similat patterns, but to tie them to a possible country of origin is impossible. I think that the place to start would be to research all of the countries from which they were imported prior to the 2000 ban.