Obviously I know nothing about turtles, tortoises, or reptiles period or I wouldn't be asking here right? So I appologize for my stupidity, but i would like to note that I have gone through a plethera (yup i just used that word) of web sites, pictures, & descriptions, including this forum with no avail.
May I say, from my research I believe this to be a tortoise due to the stalky stumpy back legs & scaled paddle-like front legs. Since I've had "him" (for lack of knowing gender), he seems to be very picky eater & I'm guessing was a pet. He seems to prefer taking food from hand, wont bite, & seems not to like to eat off the flooring (not like its hard for him, just seems lazy really). Only nibbles fruits but devours all leafy foods. I beleive it to be female, actually, as the tail is short & the evacuation hole is closer to the shell/body side.
Quik history: found 3 days ago (at about 8pm) walking in the street, shell & body were light/grayish in color & he was light in wieght, almost as if getting dehydrated. Put in tub with water on one end & he slept over night in the water, next day darkness returned to body & shell. Tried to feed that night but was unreceptive, but very active. Gave iceberg lettuce the next day & was slow to eat but later in day devoured a cricket & more lettuce.
I took pictures to a local reptile store & they say it is too young to sex & is an African Desert Tortoise. I have not found ANY pictures or descriptions of an African Desert Tortoise to support this, but again I am clueless anyway. The shell is very colorful & have not seen anything like it, unless this is what they may look like when they are young. The store gave me some food (T-Rex Iguana -dry formula- Juvenile Vegi Formula) to give him & he doesnt seem to like it as much as the real "leafy stuff". Feeding him from hand, he will take it but, I left it over night in a plate & I dont see that he's eaten it himself. So now im getting concerned about him having (or prefering) a specific diet.
I have included a link to a site with the pictures of him on it. I can email more, or the same, if needed. I didn't see anywhere here to upload or post any pics.
1.) Is the turtle from a pet shop or did someone find it in the wild?
Found in "city" area walking in the street.
2.) If wild-caught, what region of the country did you find it in?
Not wild caught, but in Nevada
3.) Did you find it in or near water?
Walking in the street with no water near-by.
4.) About how large is it? (Ideally, tell us the length of the top shell, which we call the superior carapace length or SCL).
Carapace is 4 5/8" long, 3 1/2" wide & 1 3/8" tall (to highest point from side ridge of Marginal Scute). Plastron is 4 3/8" in length.
5.) What color is the top shell (carapace)? Are there patterns or colors of any sort?
Multi-colored with all-over background of brownish greenish with Blue, Red, & Yellow Pleural & Vertebral Scutes. The Vertebral Scute dead-center is actually Blue.
6.) What color is the bottom shell (plastron)? Is it plain & all one color, or are there patterns on it?
Not sure how to answer as it is a plain color. Color varies between & through browns but lighter than top Carapace. Has Gular scutes that sticks out a bit under throat & it looks like a hinged type Plastron.
7.) Are the toes webbed?
No webbed toes, looks to me like tortoise legs. Elephant like stumpy back legs & large scaled paddle-like front legs. 5 claws on fronts, & 3 long claws on backs
8.) Are there any colorful markings (i.e.: red patches, yellow striping, big yellow crescents, etc…) on the head or neck?
Very plain elephant-like olive drab color on head & neck but front legs are a dark brown (burnt sienna) with back legs same as head.
Please let me know if this is adequate enough. I will do my best to provide more if needed. And thank you for ANY help or advice, ALL is greatly apreciated.
Take Care
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