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Old 24-11-2006, 02:07 PM   #6
sarah
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Newcastle-Under-Lyme
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From -HermanniChris23


Well I promised you all some new diagrams on how to differentiate the subspecies of Hermanns Tortoises (Testudo hermanni) and after hours of trying to get my tortoises to cooperate, I took good pics and wrote detailed descriptions on them. Here you go and lets make this a STICKY!!

TESTUDO HERMANNI BOETTGERI VS. TESTUDO HERMANNI HERMANNI

Many people find it quite difficult to differentiate the eastern and western subspecies of the Hermanns tortoise (Testudo hermanni). For years it was believed that the Western race (Testudo hermanni hermanni) was separated from the Eastern race (Testudo hermanni boettgeri) by characteristics like a divided suprecaudal shield or the jet black bands on the plastron. While these features can help, it is by no means limited to this as both subspecies can exhibit them. Today all over the world "breeders" and dealers offer hermanns tortoises for sale. Many are captive bred babies while others are imported wild caught animals which are loaded with parasites. Lately individuals offer "western hermanns tortoises" for sale and more than 9 times out 10 they are not the real thing. In the following diagrams I illustrate through photos of my own tortoises how to properly tell the difference between the 2 subspecies. Just because your tortoise has a lot of black on the plastron does not mean it's a western hermanns tortoise!!

Enjoy everyone! 8)
Sincerely,
Chris Leone














For more information on this subject please read and view the original thread about this that I posted which is a sticky at the top of this forum. Included in that thread is a diagram using hatchlings. You may also view my online photo album featuring all of my turtles and tortoises at: http://community.webshots.com/user/loon1103
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