Why are these Hermanns different looking?

[Treetops]

Hi there,

I am the excited new owner of these lovely torts. I have researched the markings and as far as I can tell, they are both Eastern Hermanns (I get them next week so can't check their plastrons) but I would be really grateful if someone could explain why the very noticeable difference in their colour and markings.

Many thanks in advance,

 

[wellington]

I don't know why, but there are many variations of tortoise color within the same species.
As for these two, they can not be kept in a pair in the same enclosure inside or outside. Tortoise should never be kept in pairs.

 

[Treetops]

I don't know why, but there are many variations of tortoise color within the same species.
As for these two, they can not be kept in a pair in the same enclosure inside or outside. Tortoise should never be kept in pairs.

Thank you Wellington. My thoughts exactly, also because they are male and female. They have been together one year from a pet shop, have been hibernated and even laid an egg that got crushed. My sister is taking one of them to her home.

So to clarify, they are both Eastern Hermanns, and neither is a hybrid. Is that correct?

Many thanks for taking the time.

 

[wellington]

I will try to get someone to help with if they are truly Eastern and and not hybrid.

 

[wellington]

Read this. Has pictures to compare.
I'm not sure who would be the best to ID except the person that wrote the link I posted below and I'm not sure he comes on here anymore.

How to Identify Hermann's Tortoises

HOW TO IDENTIFY HERMANN'S TORTOISES This is a newly updated (2018) thread explaining how to tell apart the subspecies or "types" of Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni ssp). Before reading on, it's crucial for you to understand that telling the Hermann's tortoises apart is not always easy. In...

www.tortoiseforum.org

 

[Ray--Opo]

@HermanniChris might have some input.

 

[Treetops]

Read this. Has pictures to compare.
I'm not sure who would be the best to ID except the person that wrote the link I posted below and I'm not sure he comes on here anymore.

How to Identify Hermann's Tortoises

HOW TO IDENTIFY HERMANN'S TORTOISES This is a newly updated (2018) thread explaining how to tell apart the subspecies or "types" of Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni ssp). Before reading on, it's crucial for you to understand that telling the Hermann's tortoises apart is not always easy. In...

www.tortoiseforum.org

This is a great resource. So much useful information. Thank you again for taking the time to help. You can rest assured that both my sister and I will be doing our very best for out tortoises.

 

[Treetops]

@HermanniChris might have some input.

Thank you for this. I appreciate it.