Gopher tortoise

Kurosoii

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I live in Mexico, i recently found a dehydrated tortoise outside my home, i live in a closed off residence so it has to belong to someone. I posted a picture online and people are telling me it's a Gopher tortoise and others say its a Sulcata because a Gopher tortoise in Mexico is unlikely. I live in a LA style city theres nothing nature related nearby, there's no way it could have wandered from a natural habitat. They're saying i could go to prison for helping an endangered species. I have no clue what to do. I can't let it out because it'll most likely get run over o something similar.

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SweetGreekTorts

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Definitely not a Sulcata. Can you get more pictures? Closer up of the head and limbs, and a plastron shot. Those will help us see every angle and have a better idea.

And ignore the drama-filled Facebook. Way too many less experienced keepers who think they know everything and throw their opinions everywhere.
 

Cathie G

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I live in Mexico, i recently found a dehydrated tortoise outside my home, i live in a closed off residence so it has to belong to someone. I posted a picture online and people are telling me it's a Gopher tortoise and others say its a Sulcata because a Gopher tortoise in Mexico is unlikely. I live in a LA style city theres nothing nature related nearby, there's no way it could have wandered from a natural habitat. They're saying i could go to prison for helping an endangered species. I have no clue what to do. I can't let it out because it'll most likely get run over o something similar.
The poor animal doesn't look like a gopher either from the picture. A gopher has a rounder body. You are probably right about an escapee.
 

Kurosoii

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Definitely not a Sulcata. Can you get more pictures? Closer up of the head and limbs, and a plastron shot. Those will help us see every angle and have a better idea.

And ignore the drama-filled Facebook. Way too many less experienced keepers who think they know everything and throw their opinions everywhere.

BCC1CDF7-05B0-49D7-8BE4-68F96164A5C8.jpeg E99DC6FA-2276-42C6-9321-ABEE975E3648.jpeg 3D2507D9-2E65-4EDD-BE0C-071D0A7C10B8.jpeg
 

Yvonne G

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When you see "gopher" it usually means Florida and nearby states. This tortoise is definitely one of the gopherus species, and there are two gopherus species in Mexico. My first impression was Gopherus berlandieri, or Texas tortoise. I'm unfamiliar with Mexico's laws pertaining to indigenous tortoises,, but I doubt you'll get into trouble in this situation.
 

Tom

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What part of Mexico? The dry west, like Baja, or the humid east like Monterrey?

Either way, give the little guy a warm soak and offer some weeds or grass to eat. The St. Augustine grass in your pic would be great food for him if its not treated with chemicals.
 

Markw84

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That is a Gopherus berlandieri. The forked gulars of the male is pretty indicitive of G. berlandieri.

They do naturally extend down quite a ways into Mexico, with their range covering a good part of NE Mexico. What city in Mexico do you live in?
 

dmmj

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I am not an expert on Mexican law, but I doubt the federales are looking for you.
 

Michael231

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Agree with most others that it looks like an adult Texas (Berlandiers) tortoise (Gopherus berlandieri).

I’m not familiar with what ranking that species has in Mexico on their Endangered Species List, but you’ll be fine caring for it for now.
 

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