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Does anyone know what kind of Tortoise ot Turtle this is??? I think it is a tortoise but I don't want anyone getting mad at me for incorrectly identifying it. I need to care for it correctly so I need to identify it. It crawled up on my back porch here is San Diego, CA, USA. If you can help thank you in advance!

Here's another shot.

Here's another photo of Titus.

And yet again!

The last photo of the reptile I'm trying to identify.

Testudo graeca or T ibera, 100% sure not Hermann's - look at its plastron!

Looks like someone's Marginated tortoise (Testudo marginata)got away. The toes nails (2nd photo)look pretty long too, so it was most likely housed indoors. Either way, it is definitely not native to North America, and someone has lost or dumped their pet. The link below will take you to an informative care sheet. If you intend to keep it, take it to a herp vet ASAP to get a check-up. Also, soak it in some shallow room temp/slightly warm water. If it's been wandering around for a while it might be dehydrated. The water should be shallow enough that the tortoise can set its shell on the bottom of the pan and comfortably keep its head above water at the same time. Whatever you use to contain the water needs to be flat (don't use a bowl).

Check with the animal control agencies and herp vets in your area to see if someone is missing their tortoise.
Link

Hermann's Tortoise is what I meant, not Marginted. . . . anyway, they both require similar care. Here is another good link

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/cheloniauk/care.htm

Just have it checked out by a vet, and you don't want to keep it on those wood chips for too long. The link will give you info on that. Do an internet search on "testudo care" and you will find out all kinds of stuff. Good Luck!!

Thank you so much for the info. I would really like to get it back to it's original owner if possible even though my 3 year old has fallen love. I will do some research on it and look for a local vet.

Get it off those cedar shavings before you kill it.

I would also say Herman's. Please get the cedar chips out ASAP. If you don't want to spend andy $ use newspaper. Feed it romain and other greens, but no ice burg let.
It looks to be in good shape and would make a great addition to your family. If you can't find the owner and can't keep it, I would like to addopt it. You can email me @ geckoman2003@yahoo.com .

I got it on the cedar chips. They will be gone today. It's only a temporary enclosure as I am planning on building a pen in the backyard. However, first I need to do my research to see if this is too much of a project for my current schedule. And I am kind of waiting to see if anyone in the neighborhood lost this tort as my preference would be for the rightful owner to claim him. We put up some signs.

One suggestion I read was alfalfa hay as matting. Then the Tort could also graze if necessary. And it would be cheap to remove and trash soiled areas. Or there's the alfalfa pettets. Is that all right?

Also, how old would you guess for this guy (if it is a guy).

Thanks for the replies!

DS

It looks to be around 10 to 15 yrs old. It is hard to say for sure. I can only quese at best. I thought it was a hermans , but after second look I think now maybe Iberan greek/ testedeo grecae ibrea (forgive any missplelling).
You can use alfalfa hay or the pellets. I don't like the pellets because if the soil them and then eat them you are asking for problems. I use cypress mulch that does not contain cedar. Everyone has their choice. Check out the tortoies web sight. As far as making an out door pen, that would be the best choice. I would recommend the largest space you can make. Use cender blocks for the walls. You will want to dig down aleast 1 ft and start there with the block wall. That will prevent Harry Hoodieny from exscaping again. Dig out the top soil and put in 2 or 3 inches of gravel followed by a 50/50 sand and soil mix. Build the walls at least 2ft higher then inside ground leval. Also put a board or something over the corners on top. Some tort can climb walls. Give him lots of hiding places and shade. You will need to preditore proff it as well. Racoon, possums, and foxes would love to help themself to a free meal.

I commend your willingness to try to get it back to the original owner. However you may want to consider and be prepared for other issues. How did it exscape for them in the first place? Did the just dump and unwanted/uncared for tortoies? If it did exscape, can they fix the issue that allowed it to exscape, or will it happen again? The next time it may not be lucky and find it's way to your door! Now having said all that I know I would be going out of my mind if one of my beloved torts got out, and I would realy want it back!

Do you have other reptiles, or is this your first experince with the Herp world?

Well, we had a lizard for about 6 months, other than that this is the first. Unfortunately our property abutts a county wilderness area. So many unthinking, unloving pet owners let their animals "live in the wild" here by letting them go. i.e. dogs, cats and now maybe torts! It's really terrible because we have to watch while these animals succomb to nature. We of course try to help as much as possible. But there is a pack of coyotes that live here and make quick work of any left animals and many neighboring backyard pets as well. I think it would be a great idea to let these pet owners go in this wilderness park without food or water and with a pack of hungry coyotes to fend for themselves! Then they could learn just how unloving and criminal this activity is.

Anyway, off of my soapbox now. Thank you for the info and suggestions. I will follow them!

DS

Turkish Spur-Thighed tortoise for sure.

Johnny

I am fairly sure what you have is a Celebes Land Tortoise.

That is a joke, right???

Actually I did have one question in regard to the Hermann's ident. I read that they have a bony spur on the end of their tail and Titus does not. He also has spurs on both rear thighs and on either side of his tail he has little bony knobs or something. Would you consider him a Greek Spur-Thighed - Testudo graeca or Turkish Spur-Thighed - Testudo Ibera also known as Testudo (Graeca) Ibera? Or definately a Hermann's? Here is an additional photo. His plastron measures 5 1/8" x 4". He has five toes in the fron and four in the back plus the spurs.

So far he has been identified as a Marginated, Hermanns, Greek Spur Thighed, Celebes Land and a Sulcata. I think based on some research I have decided he is not a Celebes or Sulcata. Any other thoughts or am I just going too far with this identity thing??

DS

Did you think you'd get so many responses to the simple question of what this tortoise is? Your tortoise is definitely not a sulcata, not a marginated, and not a celebes. He is possibly a Hermann's, but mostly likely some sort of Greek. The care for Greek and Hermann's torts is almost identical, so if you follow one of those care sheets you'll be in good shape.

You might take him to a reputable pet store or look for tortoise breeders in your area who could help you better identify him. Or you could go to the kingsnake.com classifieds and contact the breeders selling these kinds of torts and ask them for help. Another thing you could do is contact the herpetological departments of some zoos for info. You could also see if there are any reptile shows that will take place in your area and take him to one to see if anyone can help you there. I keep thinking of stuff. Check the internet for reptile rescues in the San Diego area and see if they can help. Your area is one of the greatest places in the country to keep and breed tortoises, and there should be a ton of people down there who could help you. The kingsnake.com forums are great, but there is the rare occasion where you end up more confused than you were when you started out.

Good luck with your hunt!

My money is on Greek. This is due to no split in the plastron. Also by the look of the tail in the last photo I would say female.
Are you keeping it or are you still not sure?

I have no idea what a celebes land tortoise is supposed to be?, but that sure isn't one of them!
I have kept Hermanns, Marginata, Greaca and Ibera.
That is definately not a Marginata or Hermann's
Your tortoise is a Turkish Spur-thighed tortoise - Testudo Ibera (also known as testudo greaca ibera)

Johnny

Another photo this time of the hind leg with spur.

I just noticed that you are in San Diego... so am I.
If you'd really like to find the owner it should be fairly easy. That animal looks like it is captive raised for a good # of years.
From the tail picture it is definately some form of Greek tortoise.
Ed