Subspecies

[Raymo2477]

Are there any recognized subspecies of the Russian tortoise?

We sell where I work and they're wild caught but the last shipment had two with dark brown almost black coloration with almost no beige/yellow.

They looked odd...& sold before I could get a pic.

 

[GeoTerraTestudo]

It is thought that there are 3 subspecies of Russian tortoise (T. horsfieldii horsfieldii, kazachstanica, and rustamovai). However, these are not universally recognized, as some authorities only consider them to be regional variants, while others think there may be a fourth subspecies. Genetic research is needed beyond morphology to get a better idea.

For now, just check the first "stickied" thread at the top of the Russian tortoise subforum, and you'll see pictures and descriptions of the 3 different types of Russian tortoises, thought to be the 3 different subspecies.