Tortoise ID

[matt41gb]

Hey guys, a friend of mine is babysitting a tortoise. The family said they've had it for 15 years and don't know what it is. It's about 8" scl. I'm thinking it's a Texas Tortoise.

-Matt

 

[Yvonne G]

The head looks like a Texas, however, the berlandieri has no nuchal scute. Maybe its a cross????? Oh Danny!

 

[HLogic]

Is that one a flavo, Danny?

 

[egyptiandan]

No not a G.flavomarginatus

Yes all Gopherus have a nuchal scute

I agree Yvonne It looks like a Desert/Texas hybrid to me also.

Danny

 

[matt41gb]

Thanks guys. I'll let her know.

-Matt

 

[HLogic]

Which Desert Tortoise? See: http://www.cnah.org/pdf_files/1784.pdf

Yep, just stirrin' the pot!

 

[egyptiandan]

I'm beginning to wonder if I have this one exactly right Can you post a plastron picture Matt? I'm thinking in a slightly different direction and I think you might be half right Art.
That would be Sonoran desert

Danny

 

[matt41gb]

I'll see if she can email me a plastron shot. This is getting interesting.

-Matt

 

[matt41gb]

Ok Danny, here is a plastron shot and a picture of it when it was a hatchling. I hope you can tell me what it is, my friend is dying to know.

-Matt

 

[Yvonne G]

It has an extra dorsal scute, huh? I wondered why the carapace looked a little different in the first picture. Cute baby picture. Doesn't look like agassizii or berlandieri, but it has a big head like the Texas torts. It will be interesting to see what Danny has to say about this tortoise. Where did your friend get it?

 

[matt41gb]

My friend is actually watching it for another family. I'll have to ask her where they got it.

-Matt