Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My wife found a little tortoise yesterday. This was clearly someone's pet, but was found walking across a busy street here in Tucson, AZ. (!) We have kept chameleons in the past, so we're not new to herps, but know very little about tortoises. Can someone help identify this little guy? Any advise is much appreciated.
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Edit- Pic didn't work. Here's a link-

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/SolarSRT4/Tortoise003.jpg

from the looks of the shell alone, it seems to be a young red or yellow footed tortoise -- hard to make out the rest! if you can provide a picture showing its head (specifically, one showing the pattern of scales on the top of its head), we can give you a more exact i.d...

You've found a little Texas tortoise, Gopherus berlandieri. Definately not native to AZ. So had to be someone's pet.

wow -- the centers of the scutes look EXACTLY like my redfoot's! the shell shape is rather small and round in comparison, though.

you learn something every day...

Thanks for the ID. We found a good home for this little guy/gal. They are much better equipped than we currently are. Thanks again!

You might want to check with the local F/W to be sure because it looks like it could be a baby Desert tortoise that also looks like it's been marked for study.

>>My wife found a little tortoise yesterday. This was clearly someone's pet, but was found walking across a busy street here in Tucson, AZ. (!) We have kept chameleons in the past, so we're not new to herps, but know very little about tortoises. Can someone help identify this little guy? Any advise is much appreciated.
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care