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Hello my name is Todd. I was walking my dog earlier this summer when I came across this tortoise just walking around at a local park. Sad some people feel the need to let animals loose but thats a totally different subject and for now I am looking for help with a ID. I have done some research but I am having a hard time narrowing it down. I am thinking hermanns but some greeks and russians look very similar. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have some pretty bad pics and this is my first post so bare with me. I will have some real photos taken with my camera early next week so if nothing can be solved now then no worries.

Thanks Todd

I'm really thinking it's a Hermann's.

You have a Russian tortoise, Testudo (Agrionemys)horsfieldii

Nope...wrong coloring...although pictures with more light would help a lot more.

I'd say it's a hermann's tortoise.

Also, there's a good chance that it was not simply released into the wild. More than likely it escaped from its pen.

One thing that I will give you.... It would appear as though that tortoise only has 4 toes on the front feet. Better pictures of the front feet would be great.

I would probably agree that it escaped except it was wondering in a very high traffic park of a major NC city. Also he seems to have 4 major toes in the front with one very small toe. four toes in the back. I will try to post some better pics later.
thanks

Todd

Ah, then if there is five toes on the front (including the little one), I would definately say either a hermans or a greek. I say hermans simply because of the shape of the tort. It appears a little rounder than a greek to me. Then again, I'm not that great at distinguishing between the two.

Look on the plastrons, if its all solid black then its a greek, if there is a black spot on each plastron then its a hermann.

PS< its a greek, looks greek to me, and in the darker photo looks greek. Im almost certain of it.

learn something new everyday

Greek tortoise... good luck.

With all the Testudo it is difficult enough to determine the species or race of animals out of the wild. When You have a CB raised animal (like it appears you do) it is even more difficult.

My first reaction is Testudo ibera but that is a first guess.

>>Hello my name is Todd. I was walking my dog earlier this summer when I came across this tortoise just walking around at a local park. Sad some people feel the need to let animals loose but thats a totally different subject and for now I am looking for help with a ID. I have done some research but I am having a hard time narrowing it down. I am thinking hermanns but some greeks and russians look very similar. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have some pretty bad pics and this is my first post so bare with me. I will have some real photos taken with my camera early next week so if nothing can be solved now then no worries.
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>>Thanks Todd
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

It looks like a Greek - although it has features of a Russian as well. Can you take a picture with the flash, so that the colors are more pronounced.

Yea I used a flash. This was not my camera and i think the flash timing is off. I will get my camera back early next week and try to post better pics. You mentioned it had features of russian. When deciding are you looking at color or other features. Thanks.

Todd

Well based on its colors and shape of its shell, it appears to be a greek tortoise. Its head kindof looked like a russian head. I am pretty certain it is not a Hermanns. I would say Greek - Testudo Ibera.

A good way to learn the different features yourself is to search the web for Greek tortoise, or Testudo Ibera, etc. Then you can make an educated guess.

I think it's a Greek or Hermanns
.

Does it have a little spike on the end of its tail? Or little ones on its back legs?