Please help me ID

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Truss

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I have had this tortoise since I was a teenager and I'm now 43. Never really looked into his (i presume's) breed but he looks like a Hermann. Sorry have not shown underside pics as I didnt have any when I found this forum - will get some if it helps. I havent a clue how old he is either as I found him walking past the house and nobody ever claimed him when we put pics in the village shop

many thanks in advance
 

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spikethebest

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i am sure underside (plastron) pics will be useful. I am not good at IDing hermanns or greeks, so I will let Danny tell you.
 

Truss

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Many thanks - will get image of the plastron over the next day or so - really appreciate the help !!
 

Truss

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Thanks Hali - very kind of you to say so !! When we found him he had a huge crack in his shell and you could see flesh. We presumed he had been living rough as he was covered in mud and blood and looked like he had overwintered himself in a british winter through snow and frost (tough or what !!!). Never found out what happened to him but he may have fallen/been run over or attacked by a dog by the state of him. All these years later his shell has healed up and he goes on and on !! Always had a soft spot for him just wish I knew how old he was and he never seems to have grown !!
 

egyptiandan

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You have a Spur thigh tortoise, Testudo graeca. :) We will need the plastron picture to tell for sure the subspecies.

Danny
 

Truss

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Thats great to know Danny considering I thought he was a Hermanns. I grabbed some shots tonight to help you identify the sub species. Is there any way he can be aged ? I found him 35 years ago and he is not grown since then. p.s is he a he ? lol

many thanks
 

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egyptiandan

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He is an Algerian spur-thigh, Testudo graeca graeca. He's probably between 60 and 70 years old.

Danny
 

Truss

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Many thanks Danny - you are a star. Its great to finally find out after all this time. Just need to sex her/him now - looks like a male due to the length of his tail and his underbelly is concave. Hope I'm right !!

many thanks and all the best - much appreciated
 

egyptiandan

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Thats why I used He :D It's a male.

Danny
 

movealongmosey

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IT'S A BOY! He's pretty awesome looking. :D Did you name him? I'm so glad you were able to revive him and take good care of him, he's a trooper!
egyptiandan said:
He is an Algerian spur-thigh, Testudo graeca graeca. He's probably between 60 and 70 years old.

Dan- I'm beginning to think your a tortoise! :p Because you know so much about them!
IT'S CRAZY!
 
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stells

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These are great tortoises... i have 2 males... and got a big female yesterday... they are a real pleasure to keep...
 

Truss

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Hi Katie - just got your message - thanks for the nice comments - hes definitely an old English gent now. Being young when we found him we called him speedy. local kids still come and say hello to him (supervised of course) and when on holiday there is a queue to come and feed him !!! x

Stell - they are so inquisitive and friendly - when cutting the hedge I have to move him to a different part of the garden as he follows me around constantly - my friends don't believe me. He also plays football and shell buts balls and pots. He's in training for the next world cup !! lol (England definitely need him !!) He shows no sign of slowing down even at his advanced age !!
 
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