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Sub species!?
- Thread starter laurenh
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Looks like Testudo Hermannis Boettgeri, but wait for expert confirmation. It's very nice looking one. Where did you get it from?
May[CHERRY BLOSSOM], Hermann's [TURTLE][TURTLE] & Aussie [DOG FACE][DOG FACE][DOG FACE] (@YWG)
May[CHERRY BLOSSOM], Hermann's [TURTLE][TURTLE] & Aussie [DOG FACE][DOG FACE][DOG FACE] (@YWG)
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We bought her off of someone. Glad we did, she was living in a fishtank with straw, no light no food no water...awful!
laurenh said:
I'm glad you did, also! My guys are rescues, at least 2x. My friend bought them off this kid who didn't have any clue about them. No calcium and no UVB for a year! Then my friend got very sick and asked me to take them.
Here are my guys. The female has more yellow. They've been separated since this picture. The male was stressing her out, as he's always in the mood.
May[CHERRY BLOSSOM], Hermann's [TURTLE][TURTLE] & Aussie [DOG FACE][DOG FACE][DOG FACE] (@YWG)
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It looks like it could be Western (Italian)
Hermany. If indeed it is, you have a pretty rare tortoise. Contact Chris Leon at Garden State Tortoise for identification and care.
sent from mobile device using TFO app
Hermany. If indeed it is, you have a pretty rare tortoise. Contact Chris Leon at Garden State Tortoise for identification and care.
sent from mobile device using TFO app
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Certainly appears to be a Western Hermann, Testudo hermanni hermanni.
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Yep it's a Western. T. h. hermanni, good score. Are you in the USA?
You can find a good amount of information about Westerns specifically by visiting my site:
www.hermannihaven.com
And several of us can answer any questions on here or via email.
You can find a good amount of information about Westerns specifically by visiting my site:
www.hermannihaven.com
And several of us can answer any questions on here or via email.
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No im in UK. Does anyone know if she can mix with my thb? Glad I rescued the poor girl!
Lauren
Lauren
I would not mix the two subspecies. That would be a terrible tragedy. What you have there is very special. Also pairs are not a good idea. They will each be much happier in their own enclosures.
Chris, you will be happy to know that I was going to suggest it could be a western based on the color on the cheek and the nearly unbroken black bars on the plastron, but I was going to direct the question to you. You beat me to it.
Chris, you will be happy to know that I was going to suggest it could be a western based on the color on the cheek and the nearly unbroken black bars on the plastron, but I was going to direct the question to you. You beat me to it.
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Only seeing one topside picture.
If you check out the website that HermanniChris linked for you, it explains the differences and how to tell. I've been there about 50 times now.
If you check out the website that HermanniChris linked for you, it explains the differences and how to tell. I've been there about 50 times now.
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Tom is right, DO NOT mix the sub species. It's very important to keep blood lines pure and to not add to the countless bastardized tortoises out there today.
Good call Tom.
And yes the others you have pictured are all Thb.
Good call Tom.
And yes the others you have pictured are all Thb.
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No worries, the 'thh' is for my grandad. Is it just for the bloodlines or do they have different diseases?
Lauren
Lauren
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Diseases are of course always a concern when mixing new tortoises into an existing group and it can have devastating effects should there be an outbreak. However, just as important is keeping bloodlines pure. Again there are far too many impure tortoises out there that further pollute bloodlines and its a BIG problem, especially with Mediterranean tortoises (Hermanns and Greeks mainly). Something like a Western Hermann's is not something you see all the time and it's crucial to keep it away from any other species or subspecies in order to prolong the existence of the purity the bloodline. While some people are fine with hybrids and bastards (to each his own), many serious keepers frown upon it and for someone like me, it's a complete nightmare. They don't live together in the wild and aren't meant to, so we should not mix them in captivity. In areas of natural integration, that is something out of our control but in our own care, we are in full control of it. Hope that helps.
With THH-even in the UK- they are not very common so need to be kept pure, plus different environments and as you said diseases.
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The 'thh' was living with a marginated when we got them
Lauren
Lauren
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What a great find Lauren. Like Tom already suggested, Chris's website is top notch expertise on western Hermanns.
Www.hermannihaven.com
Www.hermannihaven.com
Not good. Watch the tort carefully as torts mixing doesn't always work, it is a bit of luck really if it does.
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They seem fine at the moment. We have separated them but can only imagine that it doesnt mean they ate out of the woods?
Lauren
Lauren
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