Tortoise identification

[ragnarlothbrok]

Hi everyone, our lovely little tortoise appeared under a tent at the end of summer. As we’re quite rural, it was quite a surprise. Despite Facebook and local enquiries nobody came forward (which I was most pleased about ?) Ragnar as we’ve called him/her was happiest in the garden and although I was fetching him in at night, he was always waiting at the door to go in the garden in the morning. He took himself off for hibernation in November.
Can anyone identify what kind of tortoise he is? Also, what do I need to do as soon as he comes out of hibernation (I’m hearing a lot of rustling atm) I’m building him a huge run and shelter for this year so he can’t escape. Will it be best to keep him outside 24/7 in the summer and finally, at what point can I put him outside when he comes out of hibernation? Will I need to set up a tortoise area temporarily in the house with a lamp etc. until it warms up? Many thanks in advance for any help. Btw, I’m in the UK and lots of snow at moment.

 

[Yossarian]

I think this might be a Testudo Graeca Ibera. Im certain on the Testudo Graeca part but not 100% on the subspecies, pretty sure though.

These guys can cover a lot of ground and they are hardy torts so it may have been surviving wild for a few years, though it would have had a hard time of it in our climate. Ive linked the care sheet, please read and come back with any questions.

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise | Tortoise Forum

 

[ragnarlothbrok]

I think this might be a Testudo Graeca Ibera. Im certain on the Testudo Graeca part but not 100% on the subspecies, pretty sure though.

These guys can cover a lot of ground and they are hardy torts so it may have been surviving wild for a few years, though it would have had a hard time of it in our climate. Ive linked the care sheet, please read and come back with any questions.

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise | Tortoise Forum

 

[ragnarlothbrok]

That’s brilliant, thanks very much. Will read up now. Before he went into hibernation he was repeatedly burying himself in the garden so I think he’s been roughing it for a while.

 

[HermanniChris]

This is in fact not a Greek tortoise at all. It’s an eastern Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni boettgeri).

 

[ragnarlothbrok]

Ok, brilliant. I’ll do some research on this species ??

 

[ragnarlothbrok]

Any idea on his age, looking at him compared to the football?

 

[Yossarian]

Ok, brilliant. I’ll do some research on this species ??

You should Trust @HermanniChris I was using his website as a reference to identify your tort, obviously I got it wrong, but he wont have. Imma stay out of these ID threads for a while lol.

 

[ragnarlothbrok]

I really appreciate you helping me out, right or wrong! I’d spent ages trying to id him from internet photos and it was absolutely impossible. At least now I have an id. Just need him to wake up so I can appreciate him ?

 

[Yossarian]

This is in fact not a Greek tortoise at all. It’s an eastern Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni boettgeri).

I want to know your thought process to tell these apart. Im sure you can tell immediately now but what disntinguishing characteristics tell you its an eastern hermmanns, they look so similar?

 

[HermanniChris]

They’re extremely different and I have an entire website that explains all. It’s hermannihaven.com

I also have several videos on my YouTube channel that help as well: YouTube.com/GardenStateTortoise

 

[TeamZissou]

I want to know your thought process to tell these apart. Im sure you can tell immediately now but what disntinguishing characteristics tell you its an eastern hermmanns, they look so similar?

I think for this one, it's the shape of the head. E. Hermanns seem to have a more bulbous head, whereas Greeks have a more narrow head with a slightly pointier nose.

 

[Jan A]

I really appreciate you helping me out, right or wrong! I’d spent ages trying to id him from internet photos and it was absolutely impossible. At least now I have an id. Just need him to wake up so I can appreciate him ?

There are hibernation sheets as well as threads on hibernation & brumation on this site & tortoise feed sheets. Forget about the internet & FB. The latest & best info is on this site! There are lots of UK tortoise owners on board as well.

Welcome to the forum!!

 

[Ray--Opo]

You should Trust @HermanniChris I was using his website as a reference to identify your tort, obviously I got it wrong, but he wont have. Imma stay out of these ID threads for a while lol.

It happened to me also. Made me gun shy about making calls on a species.

 

[Maggie3fan]

It happened to me also. Made me gun shy about making calls on a species.

I'm generally hesitant to id a species. I get them wrong even tho I keep whatever species I was trying to id. lol

 

[KarenSoCal]

I'm generally hesitant to id a species. I get them wrong even tho I keep whatever species I was trying to id. lol

Yep! Me too! Except I don't keep them. Trying to ID is one of the easiest and fastest ways on the forum to show off one's ignorance! ?

 

[ragnarlothbrok]

Thanks Jan ?? Lots of reading on the forum last night