I picked up our newest Greek foster tortoise today. He was relinquished to International Reptile Rescue by a woman who bought him at a garage sale, just to rescue him. She actually brought him to the vet to be treated for pneumonia and worms, and kept him in a decent sized enclosure, although it was too chilly (max temp was 80ish). I will be caring for him for a few months.
I was hoping that someone on here could help me identify him. He has a very dark color, kind of a dark slate grey, with some black in the new growth. Here are some pics (click on them to see the large version):
A brief health assessment, for those who are interested. He is definitely male (concave plastron, long tail with slit vent), and is exactly 6 inches (15.25cm) long, and weighs 638g. This means his Jackson's ratio is 0.18, meaning he is within the healthy range, but a little on the light side. He seems a bit dehyrdated. He had a big water dish in his tank at his old home, but wasn't soaked regularly. Will soak every day in warm water for 2 or so weeks.
His nares are dry, his eyes are bright (a little sunken from dehydration?), although on one eye, he has some crusty skin buildup on his 'brow' - will watch that, since this can be associated with vitA overdose. His claws are pretty normal, maybe a little long in the back. I put a flat rock in his enclosure for him to walk over, to wear them down. His beak is a little overgrown, but not terribly so - will leave it alone while he adjusts.
His shell isn't in great condition, but overall ok. He has some asymmetric growth, some scutes peeling, and mild pyramiding, probably older. A few dings and scratches, to be expected from a wild-caught specimen. No signs of shell rot or other fungal damage. Plastron is in great condition.
I'd assess his activity as normal tortoise behavior - he struggles when I pick him up, but is fairly social, and he wriggled when I put him on his back. He walks normally.
Just until I have gotten an idea for his fecal consistency etc I have him on newspaper, and then will switch to something more suitable (coco coir).
I was hoping that someone on here could help me identify him. He has a very dark color, kind of a dark slate grey, with some black in the new growth. Here are some pics (click on them to see the large version):
A brief health assessment, for those who are interested. He is definitely male (concave plastron, long tail with slit vent), and is exactly 6 inches (15.25cm) long, and weighs 638g. This means his Jackson's ratio is 0.18, meaning he is within the healthy range, but a little on the light side. He seems a bit dehyrdated. He had a big water dish in his tank at his old home, but wasn't soaked regularly. Will soak every day in warm water for 2 or so weeks.
His nares are dry, his eyes are bright (a little sunken from dehydration?), although on one eye, he has some crusty skin buildup on his 'brow' - will watch that, since this can be associated with vitA overdose. His claws are pretty normal, maybe a little long in the back. I put a flat rock in his enclosure for him to walk over, to wear them down. His beak is a little overgrown, but not terribly so - will leave it alone while he adjusts.
His shell isn't in great condition, but overall ok. He has some asymmetric growth, some scutes peeling, and mild pyramiding, probably older. A few dings and scratches, to be expected from a wild-caught specimen. No signs of shell rot or other fungal damage. Plastron is in great condition.
I'd assess his activity as normal tortoise behavior - he struggles when I pick him up, but is fairly social, and he wriggled when I put him on his back. He walks normally.
Just until I have gotten an idea for his fecal consistency etc I have him on newspaper, and then will switch to something more suitable (coco coir).
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Looks like your little guy is doing okay, and as you mentioned, whatever health problems he may have appear minor.
