What is Scooter?

[Vicki2x2]

Ok, so after joining the group, and realizing it is not so easy to identify and sex tortoises, I wonder if my Scooter is really what I was told he was! I got him from a friend, who got him from a friend, who got him from a reptile show, so who knows? I was told he was a Russian male, adult. I took some pics, anyone want to confirm or deny that? Also captive bred or wild caught? Any ideas?

Thanks!

Vicki

 

[cherylim]

I'd say he's exactly what you've been told.

I would also guess wild caught, but I'm no expert.

 

[Maggie Cummings]

captive bred adult male Russian

 

[dmarcus]

Russian for sure, don't know if its captive bred or wild caught..

 

[bubbles01]

I have no idea, I'm def not an expert! Just wanted to say that Scooter is a really cool name for a tortoise!

 

[Vicki2x2]

Thank you all so far, thank you bubbles01, that was my kids' idea and well, it was too cute to pass up!

 

[dmmj]

Russian male, I am gonna disagree with the captive born diagnosis, looks wild caught to me, where did you get him from?

 

[Vicki2x2]

I got him from a friend, whose friend got him for him from a reptile show. So, after passing thru that many hands, I didn't get a lot of background. The original friend wasn't a tort person, but a snake person, so he didn't ask many questions, just knew his friend liked torts. Unfortunately his gf wasn't pleased, so when I expressed interested, he agreed to sell him to me to make everyone happy.

---

Clear as mud??? LOL

 

[gopherhockey03]

Male, Russian I would say Wild caught which most Russians are.

 

[Talka]

Definitely wild-caught, his shell is as beat up as my Sheldon's.

 

[Vicki2x2]

Not sure where is the best place to measure, but he seems to be at least 5 1/2 inches, almost 6 , depending on where I measure and that is not bending the tape. Isn't that pretty big? Any guesses on his age?

 

[Yvonne G]

Put your tape measure up against the wall at 0" and pull it out away from the wall. Sit the tortoise on it, pushing him up against the wall so his shell is touching. You measure a tortoise in a straight line front to back and this is called the SCL measurement.

 

[Jacqui]

Looks to be a very nice Russian, you did good!

 

[Vicki2x2]

Ok, measured like you said emysemys and he is 6 1/4" ! Thanks Jacqui! I think he is pretty awesome!

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

Definitely male Horsfield, mostly likely wild-caught...odd that the snake-keeper's gf balked at a tortoise (often, it's the other way around!)

 

[Vicki2x2]

That's where the clear as mud part comes in, lol. The snake keeper picked him up for our mutual friend. The snake keeper has a wife and they raise snakes, no issues there. It was the mutual friend whose gf didn't want the tort, he is not allowed snakes either. I know what you're thinking, bye bye gf, that is what we all keep telling him! LOL

 

[Maggie Cummings]

I disagree, I don't think his shell looks beat up or scarred. I think it looks to be in pretty good shape. I think he is captive bred. I agree they are usually wild caught when you get them from a pet store. But to me this guy looks pretty good...not that it matters