G.p.pardalis and G.p.babcocki

[Neal]

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We will often see questions about the differences between the two types of leopard tortoises as we know them in the US. The differences are obvious when comparing young tortoise, adults are a little more difficult to distinguish.

Babcocki:
Typically single or no dots on the scutes.







Light tan/blonde color skin with few spots.





Pardalis:
Typically two or more dots on each scute:





Dark tan skin with a lot of spots.





Comparisons:





Babcocki (right) will typically have higher domed shells than pardalis (left).



Hot dog shape (Pardalis) and hamburger shape (babcocki)





Notice that the Pardalis are typically bigger towards the rear.



Happy Pardalising!

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[onarock]

Very cool Neal. The only other pics I would show is the side profile. Show how babcocki are more front heavy and pardalis are more rear heavy, but great job!

[Neal]

Yeah, I'll still add to this thread in the coming days...these pictures took me 3 days and over 100 pictures. They're all so active it's hard to get a clean shot. I did mention it towards the end though, if you go through all the pictures you can see it from the top views.

[DocNezzy]

Nice thread. Very well done and informative. You have some very nice looking torts to compare!

[John]

Well done Neal, Do babcockers always have that big hair on em like in the first pic?Lol, another outstanding thread I'm very interested in the side view shots will be watching. The differences are obvious I'm gonna try to get some close ups of my "hybrid" and post shots if you don't mind.

[coreyc]

Great pics Neal nice comparison shot's your tort's look great

[John]

So how bout them side shots homeboy

[Neal]

They will be up tonight at approx 8:35pm Arizona time. I can't access photobucket from my work computer for some reason.

[John]

lol, I'll be watching the clock

[onarock]

Whats wrong with you?...

(05-24-2011 12:47 PM)squamata Wrote:  lol, I'll be watching the clock

[John]

(05-24-2011 12:51 PM)onarock Wrote:  Whats wrong with you?...

(05-24-2011 12:47 PM)squamata Wrote:  lol, I'll be watching the clock

Everything

[coreyc]

(05-24-2011 12:20 PM)squamata Wrote:  So how bout them side shots homeboy

Where's the pic's of your Hybrid ? Homeslice

[DesertGrandma]

(05-23-2011 10:00 PM)Neal Wrote:  We will often see questions about the differences between the two types of leopard tortoises as we know them in the US. The differences are obvious when comparing young tortoise, adults are a little more difficult to distinguish.

Babcocki:
Typically single or no dots on the scutes.







Light tan/blonde color skin with few spots.





Pardalis:
Typically two or more dots on each scute:





Dark tan skin with a lot of spots.





Comparisons:





Babcocki (right) will typically have higher domed shells than pardalis (left).



Hot dog shape (Pardalis) and hamburger shape (babcocki)





Notice that the Pardalis are typically bigger towards the rear.



Happy Pardalising!

For some reason these pics are not coming through for me. I just see a little square box with a red x in it for each photo???? Anyone know how I can see them?

[Jacob]

Awesome!

[Tom]

Nice post Neal.