species id

[lismar79]

A friend found this guy crossing a high way in northern ohio. Wondering what he is so we can release or find placement if non native

 

[Turtlepete]

Do not release it, as it's not native to your state. Either a russian or a greek, I'm not good at identifying Testudo/Agrionemys. Someone will come along and tell you in specific, but it's best to hold onto it. Likely a released/escaped pet.

 

[tortadise]

Yeah don't release that. Actually looks like a Herman's to me. @HermanniChris would know. It's definitely a Mediterranean species.

 

[HermanniChris]

It's a Hermanns, need a plastron shot to know the subspecies

 

[lismar79]

Oh wow! Poor guy was in the middle of a 4 lane high way! I'm trying to talk him into giving it to me.

 

[Turtlepete]

Yeah don't release that. Actually looks like a Herman's to me. @HermanniChris would know. It's definitely a Mediterranean species.

Really? Hm, that was actually my first impression but then I talked myself out of it. Didn't look quite like the hermanni to me. As I said though, I suck at identifying Testudo .

 

[colatoise]

Hmmm. Give him a warm soak and give us a plastron pic.

 

[lismar79]

Well I got him or her for $20 & 2 packs of cigs.....please let me know what you think. Got him or her set up temp with extra tort supplies I had till the weekend.

 

[tortadise]

Yeah that looks like an eastern Herman's.

 

[tortadise]

Female too

 

[lismar79]

6 inches long. I have not weighed yet but he or she is solid.

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Well I have Herrmans


Sent from my iPhone using TortForum

 

[Saleama]

You got a heck of a deal on a beautiful little female! I wish I could stumble onto deals like that!

 

[lismar79]

Her shell has some spots. Is this a fungus or rott. Lord knows what she has been through.

 

[bouaboua]

I just glad she is in your hand now.

 

[HermanniChris]

That is a female Testudo hermanni hercegovinensis. Although this is not currently an accepted valid subspecies, they are still different than the Eastern (T. h. boettgeri) and should not be mixed. Nice find for sure.

 

[lismar79]

Thank you all. She's been named Hazel, at the request of the rescuer!

@HermanniChris what do you think of marks on the shell? Fearing its a fungus of some sort but I am not sure. & as I'm reading up on her care is it correct to get aspen bedding? At her size is humidity a concern? Sorry to as so much at once!

 

[HermanniChris]

The spots don''t concern me at all. These things get all kinds of scuffs and spots and whatnot on their carapaces and there's no reason to over-pamper them at all. Just keep an eye on it. You can keep her on aspen for now if you're concerned about fungus but it tends to be too dry. These tortoises need sufficient hydration and contrary to popular belief, they usually prefer a moister substrate. Cypress mulch or 50/50 top soil play sand mix is best for indoor use.

 

[lismar79]

Great. Thank you. She is on coir & top soil at the moment. Big enclosure to be built this weekend & I will add cypress. My other two use fir bark.

 

[lismar79]

Her current temp home. Looking for someone to take her & give her more room. This enclosue is the future hoom for my russian. Built it on a twin bed frame!