please help me identify my tortoise!

[beckyleotortoise]

Hi Everyone,

I dont think my previous post worked

I purchased a Tortoise today off a friend but he has no idea what breed it is. It is 4 months old. Can anybody help me identify him?

Thank you

 

[tortadise]

Welcome! I am not the best with the testudo species of tortoises. Looks like a little hermanns tortoise though.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi and welcome to the Forum!

I'm not good at I.D.ing the Mediterranean species of tortoise, but it looks like either a Greek or a Hermann's. Someone else will come along and give you better info.

 

[beckyleotortoise]

Hi, thanks

Now I'm very confused because i thought it was a Hermann, then I thought it was a horsefield but now you have me thinking it's a Hermann! Lol

X

 

[Yvonne G]

No, its definitely NOT a Russian.

 

[beckyleotortoise]

oh, I got told from another site that a Herman has 4 toes, and he has 4 toes! confussssssed lol

 

[mctlong]

Whatever it is, looks like it has a split scute. Very cute.

I don't know if its hermanns or Greek, but I agree that's its definately not horsefields.

 

[GBtortoises]

It's a Greek subspecies, looks like Testudo (gracea) ibera. A photo from directly above showing the carapace and the plastron would help.

 

[beckyleotortoise]

Thank you very much, I will post another picture later.

It came from a pet shop that only sells Horsefields and Hermanns, so I know its one or the other. But my friend doesn't know which one

 

[Tom]

It is NOT a horsefield. That much we are all sure of. If you post the requested pics GB will be able to tell you for sure whether its a greek or a hemanni.

It has some substantial pyramiding for a four month old testudo sp. This is an indication that things have been much too dry and desert like. You might want to switch to a better substrate and offer a humid hide. I'd soak him several times a week too.

 

[beckyleotortoise]

Thank you! That is helpful. I will post the pics after 5 oclock when I get home. I only got him yesterday, so I want to do everything I can to make him comfortable and healthy. He hasn't spent any time under his UV lamp, hes walked away from it, so would that be an indication that he's too dry? He hasnt drank anything yet either as far as im aware

How long would you suggest I soak him for? (in cool water?)

Thank you so much for the help!

 

[GBtortoises]

"It came from a pet shop that only sells Horsefields and Hermanns"

Then the shop might want to find out what they are actually selling because it is neither species! I am 100% certain that it is a Greek tortoise and almost positive that it is an Ibera. The babies of Greeks, Hermann's, Russians and Marginateds are very distinct from each other, even at a very young age.

As Tom stated, your tortoise definitely does appear to have been kept very dry. Humidity in the form of ambient air, substrate moisture and body hydration are very important for a tortoises smooth growth.

 

[lkwagner]

Thank you! That is helpful. I will post the pics after 5 oclock when I get home. I only got him yesterday, so I want to do everything I can to make him comfortable and healthy. He hasn't spent any time under his UV lamp, hes walked away from it, so would that be an indication that he's too dry? He hasnt drank anything yet either as far as im aware

How long would you suggest I soak him for? (in cool water?)

Thank you so much for the help!

I would soak 15-30 minutes once or twice a day in warm water

 

[beckyleotortoise]

Sorry its late, but here is a picture of him from the top?
Thank you x

 

[BeeBee*BeeLeaves]

Hi Becky! Welcome to you and your new little one. GBtortoises would definitely know. The pet shop, not so much. Obviously, since you have a little baby with signs of not being in the right conditions. The good thing is that you came to the right place for excellent help with your tortoise. Soaks are the best, warm and cozy under the basking light ... ahh spa! Coco coir substrate is what I use. Do a search and read all you can. Lots of great info throughout the forum. Congrats again. Glad you got the cutie and glad that you are here. : )

 

[Yahwe]

Testudo hermanni

 

[GeoTerraTestudo]

Hi Everyone,

I dont think my previous post worked

I purchased a Tortoise today off a friend but he has no idea what breed it is. It is 4 months old. Can anybody help me identify him?

Thank you

Bear in mind, there are no tortoise breeds. All the variety you see is naturally occurring (except for a few pale and albino lineages).

Ah, so it's been identified as an Ibera Greek (Testudo graeca ibera), eh? Very cool.

 

[tortoise_man1]

Hello, welcome to the Forum

 

[beckyleotortoise]

Thank you everyone for you help and kind words

Do you think I need to worry about the skin tag (type thing) he has above his eye? Do you think it will just fall off, or do you think its something worth going to the vets aboout?


Thank you! x

 

[GBtortoises]

Most definitely Testudo (gracea) ibera.