Nilean
New Member
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2015
- Messages
- 4
Dear All,
I’ve found this tortoise while I was trekking in a nearby canyon. The canyon has a rather cool climate with lots of ponds and small water streams; along with various trees and different plants.
I googled tortoises for a while and now I’m confused whether this is a Russian tortoise (Afghan tortoise/Steppes tortoise/Central Asian tortoise - Testudo Horsfieldii) or a Mediterranean Spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo Graeca) which is common around here.
Initially, I named it Oliver based on it’s olive color. But now that I’m no longer sure about the gender; I might have to call it Olivia! Based on the tale shape, I'm guessing it's a female.
It has three toes in the front legs, and four in the rear ones (unlike the Testudo Graeca, true?). This brings us to the elephant in the room. If this isn’t a Testudo Graeca, how can it be a Testudo Horsfieldii when there are no reported sightings of it in this region?
Considering the closest reported location is at least 400-500 Kms away makes it quite a surprise. Plus, the shell color and pattern doesn't look like one. (Or maybe there is simply no elephants in the room )
Here are further features for identification:
Thanks!
P.S: Now that I have looked through more threads (specially the "Which Baby Tortoise Do I Have?") I think it's a Testudo graeca ibera. I'm not sure though.
I’ve found this tortoise while I was trekking in a nearby canyon. The canyon has a rather cool climate with lots of ponds and small water streams; along with various trees and different plants.
I googled tortoises for a while and now I’m confused whether this is a Russian tortoise (Afghan tortoise/Steppes tortoise/Central Asian tortoise - Testudo Horsfieldii) or a Mediterranean Spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo Graeca) which is common around here.
Initially, I named it Oliver based on it’s olive color. But now that I’m no longer sure about the gender; I might have to call it Olivia! Based on the tale shape, I'm guessing it's a female.
It has three toes in the front legs, and four in the rear ones (unlike the Testudo Graeca, true?). This brings us to the elephant in the room. If this isn’t a Testudo Graeca, how can it be a Testudo Horsfieldii when there are no reported sightings of it in this region?
Considering the closest reported location is at least 400-500 Kms away makes it quite a surprise. Plus, the shell color and pattern doesn't look like one. (Or maybe there is simply no elephants in the room )
Here are further features for identification:
- Top Shell Length: 5.5 cm
- Top shell width: 4.2 cm
- Top shell color: Khaki - Olive
- Bottom shell color: Cream
- Toes are not webbed
Thanks!
P.S: Now that I have looked through more threads (specially the "Which Baby Tortoise Do I Have?") I think it's a Testudo graeca ibera. I'm not sure though.