Jim,

I think I'm confident now that the so-called 'Dwarf Cherryhead' is mostly lore past on from bad information long ago. It's true that the cherryhead variety is different and slightly smaller but on average, comparing a 12-13" cherryhead to a 13-14" regular redfoot is hardly significant.

My largest female cherryhead is nearly 13" and still growing. Carl May has a female that is around 14". These are no dwarves. Oddly, it seems that cherryheads reproduce at larger sizes than regular redfoots (10"ish vs 8"ish). I have animals that are between 7" and 13" and none of my females below 10" is mature. The males seem to mature a little smaller around 8-9" which is similar to regular redfoots.

I think the biggest difference is the coloration and their overall shape of the shell. Female cherryheads are more oval than regular redfoots which are more elongated and male cherryheads seldom have the figure-8 that regulars are known for.

Paul

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