Reptile & Amphibian Forums

In this thread, we will post pictures of the tortoise(s) we think are the most beautiful species. They don't have to be of any particular *RARE* species, per se, but of your opinion only. Also, give a brief reason for your choice.

I'll start:
Burmese Star tortoise (geochelone platynota)

Reason:
The flower petal pattern that is present in some of the adults is simply gorgeous. The breeder who I got my babies from imported his adults from Thailand. They have very wide fans around the edges, and the tops of the tortoises' carapaces look like someone sprinkled them with white petals. Stunning. Here are some pics of my babies. Enjoy!

Are these tortoises or their parents registered in the studbook? Does the breeder have CITES import documents for the importation?

I think spider tortoises are gorgeous. Just cause I do, and I don't have a picture.

I also think hermanns are very pretty

pictures of my radiated tort

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/index.php?user=113797&cat=500

I've seen a fair number of torts and personally put radiata at the top of my list. Of all the pictures posted here, I'd vote for your radiata pic.

Thanks for sharing,

John

Holy crap!! Your radiated tortoise looks magnificent!!!

Is it a male or female? Look at all those white bands..

The gender is hard to tell at this point; its about 6-7 years old. Judging from the tail and the plastron, its likely female.

You got to be kidd'in heres the most beautifull tortoise.Whats with all these silly colors.Rugged is beautifull.They would all drop their strawberries if they saw this tortoise.Fay Ray would dump king kong for this beautifull beast.HUNG GAWA*(johnny Wisemiller)

I don't have any pics, but my vote for the Forsten's tortoise. Pics all over the web.

Definitely the Burmese Star.

I own 12 animals, all of diverse bloodlines, 2 of which are registered in the studbook.

I still like my very common redfoot tort that was given to me, pyramided and everything.

Good for you. So what's your reason for picking the redfoot species as the prettiest?

My friend found her wandering the streets and didn't want the responsibility. She is severely pyramided due to her previous owner who either lost her or let her go. After treatment from the vet, three years later, and four more redfoots, she is still the most impressive in spirit and looks. All the other torts are more beautiful in shell and appearance, but her personality is the best. There is more to a "pet" or a "hobby" than appearance. Her pyramiding is a testament to her life and her personality is proof of the forgiveness of her nature. All of the other torts have their place and their fans, but Tallulah is my favorite and the most beautiful to me.

I'm with you. I wouldn't trade my Bell's hinged back for all the tea in china and then some. She has the best personality. A true lady and gentle as the day is long. She loves blowing bubbles in her water and relishes strawberries. I love watching her and having her sit with me outside. She is too cool!

Her is a photo I took on the first warm day this spring with 2 of my boxies.

Sorry, her is the photo!

That's how I feel about it, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Our pyramided sulcata who was tossed out in the middle of nowhere, riddled with bullet holes and looking horrible 4 years ago when we were lucky enough to take her in, is the most beautiful tortoise of all to me.

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PHRatz

awesome story -- she is a lucky tort! my junior is the most beautiful tort to me, because -- i LOVE him! he's cute and has the most amazing personality!

is easily one of the most beautiful species as well....thats like saying," i know its just....insert current hot model....but she has a great personality".....come on the redfoot with the intense red on the legs the soft pastel colors and the darker reds on the face are just awesome. and dont you even get me started on some of the cherryheads i have seen...........for me personally....i would say overall winners for looks (shell and skin) redfoots/yellowfoots and radiateds...love the yellow- fade to black on their skin, then right below that all the cool shell patterns tent tortoises, geometrics, nice examples of hingebacks and leopards, angulates,stars, pancakes, padlopers.... ok then for just "wow" stunning torts...galops and aldabras, plowshares, huge sulcatas......but you know just like a country and western song i heard once about making an 'ugly woman your wife- she'll keep you happy your whole life" or sumthin like that.....i will always have my "beautiful" burmese mtn torts....thanks john yocum

I know they are uber common maybe even over-represented in the pet trade but I love my Sulcata!!! I work at a zoo where we have Galops, Radiated, Greek, Redfoots, Sulcatas, Leopard, Indian Star, and Spider Tortoises. They are all amazing, but my sulcata is special just because of her story. One of our spider tortoises was stolen unfortunately so we pulled all the smaller tortoises from their exhibit so it didn't happen again. Well, I was walking by a couple days later and heard a woman say "Look, there is the tortoise" when the exhibit was supposed to be empty. And there she was--my little sulcata that was left abandoned. I found her on the 4th of July so I named her Firecracker. What can I say...I'm a sucker for an animal in need!

Well, as most of you posted, is burmese stars, but personally in my opinion the indian star tortoise is way better looking, the pattern on the indian star are simpler, and make it way awsome looking, its not so complicated like the burmese star tortoise.
Link

another picture of the star tortoise

I would have to put my vote in for M. impressa or P. planicauda.
Michael