That's absolutely adorable, is what it is!!! Are they from the area, or is someone heartsick, looking for him? He looks really well-cared for!
They're native to Florida, and highly protected. So he's a wild tort.That's absolutely adorable, is what it is!!! Are they from the area, or is someone heartsick, looking for him? He looks really well-cared for!
He's gorgeous! No dents or scratches.They're native to Florida, and highly protected. So he's a wild tort.
He looks just like a sulcata to my inexperienced eyes. What’s the key visual to make that ID?Hello all.
I’m a Sulcata owner and today I was diggin in the garden an this little fella came out from under my shed. Not having any luck finding out what breed it is. I live in central Florida. View attachment 291144
See the scute in between the two scutes above its head? Its's called the nuchal scute, and sulcatas lack it. This specific tortoise is very bright yellow, I can see how it looks very similar to a baby sulcata, however, the nuchal scute makes us sure its a gopher.He looks just like a sulcata to my inexperienced eyes. What’s the key visual to make that ID?
In addition to the nuchal scute, the leg scales and the pattern on the carapace are screaming "GOPHERUS"!He looks just like a sulcata to my inexperienced eyes. What’s the key visual to make that ID?
Thank you for that lesson. I understand now. Pretty subtle difference but easily identifiable now that I know that little gem of knowledge. Thanks!See the scute in between the two scutes above its head? Its's called the nuchal scute, and sulcatas lack it. This specific tortoise is very bright yellow, I can see how it looks very similar to a baby sulcata, however, the nuchal scute makes us sure its a gopher.
And I betcha you would like to have it same as me...damn. Yvonne and I have always said...we've been in the tortoise business for years ('specially her) and not ever, never not once have either one of us 'found' a tortoise...In addition to the nuchal scute, the leg scales and the pattern on the carapace are screaming "GOPHERUS"!
That is not me yelling in all caps. Its the leg scales, pattern and nuchal scute.