Please Identify This Galapagos Subspecies! Thank you!!

[spikethebest]

Hello,

Can all you experts out there identify exactly which subspecies this is of the Galapagos Tortoise species? Also can you sex it and age it?

Can you also give a ball-park price? Someone I know wants to sell it, and unfortuately knows nothing about it... My dream is to own of this these friendly giants and love them for the rest of my life!

Thank you!!!

 

[egyptiandan]

It's most likely Chelonoidis nigra vicina and could possibly be a female.
It's probably around 6 years old and worth about $5,000.

Danny

 

[Yvonne G]

It's most likely Chelonoidis nigra vicina and could possibly be a female.
It's probably around 6 years old and worth about $5,000.

Danny

Hi Danny: (I'm gonna' hijack this post, sorry) I've heard people say that the only way to tell the diff. btwn Galop and Aldab it the "bow tie" nuchal scute...but in this picture of a Galop, the scales on the front legs are WAY different than the scales on my Aldabs' legs. The galop scales look more like the Manouria front legs. The scales on my Aldabs' legs lays flat on the leg and doesn't stick up like those in this picture. Beautiful tort, by the way!

Yvonne

 

[Crazy1]

Don't know the answer but she is beautiful Cory. Hope you get her. Good Luck.

 

[Isa]

hello Cory

Same here, I don't know the answer but it is a very nice tort. Her shell is amazing.

 

[jasso2]

looks like a sulcata.

 

[101isthebest]

i hope u can get this tort. keep us updated. send these pics to stephanie. she knows a lot of experts. she said she can send pics to her expert friends. i think getting other opinions is a great idea.

 

[spikethebest]

great idea 101isthebest! your such a smartie!

 

[Laura]

How awsome would that be spike!!!
It looks healthy.
What are the legallities of aquiring such a beast?
How did your friend come across it?
I dont want anyone to get in trouble, just curious...

 

[-EJ]

Can you get a clear shot of under the shell just above the neck. The first shot is perfect but with a little more light.

There is no way in the world to know what subspecies you have without DNA comparison.

Even with DNA comparison there is much debate as to the subspecies of the Galaps.

As to the Value... whatever the seller is able to get. I've seen Galaps... if it is a Galap... of that size... go for $2000 to $8000.

Hello,

Can all you experts out there identify exactly which subspecies this is of the Galapagos Tortoise species? Also can you sex it and age it?

Can you also give a ball-park price? Someone I know wants to sell it, and unfortuately knows nothing about it... My dream is to own of this these friendly giants and love them for the rest of my life!

Thank you!!!

 

[spikethebest]

if it is a Galap...

so there is a chance this tort isn't a galapagos tortoise? if it isn't , what else could it be?

 

[drgnfly2265]

It's a cutie, I wish that I could afford one

___________________________________________________

Jamie

1 Sulcata (Bowser)

www.myspace.com/bowsertortoise

 

[-EJ]

That's why I'd lik to see if there is any evidence of a nucal scute under the margin of the shell. If there is any evidenc of the nucal scute it would most likely be an Aldabra although the carapace looks kinda flat.

Of course I know nothing of the history of the animal. That would shed some more light on an ID.

if it is a Galap...

so there is a chance this tort isn't a galapagos tortoise? if it isn't , what else could it be?

 

[evin]

haha tell em they sell for 50 bucks and buy it fromt them

 

[rockreadyyj07]

Probaly stolen. Why would someone have a 3k+ tortoise in what seems to be great health and not know anything about it

 

[rockreadyyj07]

so whats the deal, figure out anything? find its real owner?

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Spike: Your tortoise is more than likely a Galop and not an aldabran. If you would notice the nose. The Aldabrans don't have that "pig" nose, their nose is more rounded. Also, the lack of the bow-tie shaped nuchal scute, and the scales on the front legs. I have two Aldabrans and one has the nuchal scute the other just has a bump where the scute would be. They both have a rounded nose and they both have flat, smooth scales on the front legs. It sounds like you really want this tortoise. I say, go for it!

Yvonne

 

[spikethebest]

thank you everyone for all your input, advice, and comments.

i have sent these pictures to MANY places, zoos, rescues, universities.... and all the TOP experts have clearly identified as a galapagos. they have also said it a hybrid of the subspecies. very few pure galap exist in the US. also sexing galaps are about as easy as sexing Aldabs (extremely difficult!). so i shall wait and see. So until I know for sure, Im going to call her a female.

i'm getting her this Saturday and her name is going to be Littlefoot.

I will put some pics up as soon as I get them of Littlefoot in her new home.

Thanks again!

 

[Isa]

Congratulations

That a great new. I can't wait to see her pic.

 

[evin]

how much did you end up paying for the majestic beast