I actually believe that there is some research showing variation in the Russian Tortoise complex as well. I'm no field expert, but I can tell you that when a group of tortoises spans from a range big as Afghanistan to China, variation is always a given. Leopard tortoises, redfoots, hingebacks, and hermann's torts all share extreme variation as a common characteristic.

I've noticed this in my own Russian collection. There seem to be distinct color and pattern differences between imported groups. Some are more tollerant of damp than others. I've even seen different shapes, some being box-like, others elongated.

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