Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Was just sent a young tortoise by a friend of the family. She purchased it 3yrs ago from a reputable reptile pet store as a CH. She has no ID but thinks she remembers the term "Golden Greek". Given the timeframe and the extreme coincidence of the correct term I'm inclined to agree but have no key for them to verify.

'His' plastron is also already quite concave though tail more female like. Is this too young to be diagnostic? I'd guess his scl at 12-14cm ish. I have no exposure to other Greek sp. but if I remember correctly from way back when there were some forms difficult to differentiate. All the more important given their differing requirements.

Can someone supply the key and/or have a look to see what they think?

http://corell.smugmug.com/photos/70064561-M.jpg

more at:

http://corell.smugmug.com/gallery/1467797/1/70064561

Thanks!

more of the tortoise pasture and 'him' here:

I thought that it wsa going to be a tough ID. What you have sure looks like a very nice long term captive WC Egyptian tortoise... looks like a female too.

It also looks fantasticly healthy. Email me if you'd like some notes on it.

The important points are keep it dry with a temperature gradient of 75 to 100F. Also make sure of the hydration.

I'd highly recommend you get notes from the person you got it from because it is in beautiful shape. That is normally a very difficult species to maintain for any length of time.

>>Was just sent a young tortoise by a friend of the family. She purchased it 3yrs ago from a reputable reptile pet store as a CH. She has no ID but thinks she remembers the term "Golden Greek". Given the timeframe and the extreme coincidence of the correct term I'm inclined to agree but have no key for them to verify.
>>
>>'His' plastron is also already quite concave though tail more female like. Is this too young to be diagnostic? I'd guess his scl at 12-14cm ish. I have no exposure to other Greek sp. but if I remember correctly from way back when there were some forms difficult to differentiate. All the more important given their differing requirements.
>>
>>Can someone supply the key and/or have a look to see what they think?
>>
>>http://corell.smugmug.com/photos/70064561-M.jpg
>>
>>more at:
>>
>>http://corell.smugmug.com/gallery/1467797/1/70064561
>>
>>Thanks!
>>
>>more of the tortoise pasture and 'him' here:
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Does it have 2 (or 4) black triangle marks on the plastron?

I think I agree with Ed, it appears to be an Egyptian & a beauty at that! Probably wild caught.

You have a "Golden" greek tortoise. If you look at the other pictures guys, the tortoise has too many front leg scale rows to be an Egyptian.
The Goldens like really warm temps compared to most greeks, like EJ said a temp range from a 100 to 75F is great.
There is no valid subspecies name right now for any of the middle eastern greeks.

OOOOPS.

I believe photos #6 & 7 showing the front legs weren't posted when I first checked. That's why I asked about the black triangles on the plastron.

Still a nice animal.

Do you still have torts Dan?

Wrong Dan, but thats okay

Thanks guys,

I dug out a key this morning in the NorthAfrica book and indeed:

http://corell.smugmug.com/photos/70388846-M.jpg

and

http://corell.smugmug.com/photos/70388822-M.jpg

Are they at T.graeca or is T.terrestis correct in this case?

I assume this applies: http://www.chelonia.org/articles/tiberagoldengreekcare.htm

In this case I will be maintaining it (eventually, them - hopefully) outside in in North Texas. Similar to our pardalis pasture:

http://corell.smugmug.com/photos/70389840-M.jpg

Other than what the chelonia.org sheet suggests, are there good general rules for locality that are now understood? I'd like to find more. I've gone back to the source of this tortoise but the shopkeeper doesn't remember details.

Thanks again!

Somebiatch!

Dan's right. No doubt it's a golden. The Plastron shot is a dead giveaway.

Dan, Tell me that first shot don't look like an egyptian with the hig dome and all.

>>You have a "Golden" greek tortoise. If you look at the other pictures guys, the tortoise has too many front leg scale rows to be an Egyptian.
>>The Goldens like really warm temps compared to most greeks, like EJ said a temp range from a 100 to 75F is great.
>>There is no valid subspecies name right now for any of the middle eastern greeks.
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Of course it did Ed

Thats why I checked out the other pictures

did't have that option when I posted.

>>Of course it did Ed
>>
>>Thats why I checked out the other pictures
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care