How can you tell a CH from a Northern.

[Alex Strege]

Hello i recently got some CH babies and want to know what you guys think. Someone was telling me the pair i bought are actually northerns and not CH.

 

[Alex Strege]

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hi Alex

 

[Yvonne G]

The northerns hardly ever have a bright red head like that. . . but I'm not well-versed on the redfooted tortoise so I'll send a shout-out to @cdmay @Anyfoot @ZEROPILOT

 

[Anyfoot]

I'd like to know what cdmay says, the plastrons look like northerns to me.

 

[Alex Strege]

The northerns hardly ever have a bright red head like that. . . but I'm not well-versed on the redfooted tortoise so I'll send a shout-out to @cdmay @Anyfoot @ZEROPILOT

Thanks for the info and for tagging more people in.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Can you see a red "spur" on the forelimbs?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I'd like to know what cdmay says, the plastrons look like northerns to me.

They do. Unless the Cherryheads darken a little later on.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

The red coloration is exceptional.
It's a win/win either way.

 

[allegraf]

Northerns or mixes.

 

[Alex Strege]

Can you see a red "spur" on the forelimbs?

I see what looks to be the "spurs" however i wasn't sure how accurate that was on ones this small. It seems their scales are somewhat "loose" on their legs so not 100% if its a spur or not.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Northerns or mixes.

I never considered mixes.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

They look a lot like my extra red northern male.
Especially the limbs and plastron.
This is the one I'm looking to sell or trade for a female.

 

[Anyfoot]

I'm not so sure the spur is an accurate way to determine northerns from Brazilians. I'm convinced some of my adult northerns have the spur(maybe they are mixed)

Anyway, here are 2 Brazilians then 3 northern babies.
My adults Brazilians are the type with full black plastrons so maybe mine are easier to tell apart than others.

 

[Bryan]

Northerns or mixes.

This is why IMO it is critical that if you want to work with locale specific animals that you buy them from a reputable breeder. There is so much variation within certain locales as is that adding an animal that is basically a guessing game to such a group does no one any favors. My advice would be to grow them up and see what they look like as they mature. If these were bought from someone like Carl or Allegra I would take it at face value.

 

[Alex Strege]

Here they are again along with one that i am more confident is a CH. The darker pair i purchased from The Jungle Florida, they have yet to respond to my emails.

 

[a5fung]

Here are mine for comparison, two on left are cherries, two on right are RFs.

 

[cdmay]

I dunno what they are.
You get that with some captives. Maybe when they are older...

 

[Anyfoot]

I'm not so sure the spur is an accurate way to determine northerns from Brazilians. I'm convinced some of my adult northerns have the spur(maybe they are mixed)

Anyway, here are 2 Brazilians then 3 northern babies.
My adults Brazilians are the type with full black plastrons so maybe mine are easier to tell apart than others. View attachment 213309 View attachment 213310 View attachment 213311 View attachment 213312 View attachment 213313

@Pearly

 

[Pearly]

@Pearly

I seem to recall discussion on here about this while back and among other things that distinguish them there were the plastrons, elbow spurs and something about their head scales (nasal Ones i think) how they are shaped and lined up, I think RedfootNerd, Cdmay, you Craig and Ed were part of that discussion. It would be noce nów to find that thread....