ID. ADVICE PLEASE.

terrific tortoises · 01-07-2006, 12:53 AM

Hi Andy, I wounder if you could identify these 2 tortoises for me please. These photos were sent to me approx. seven years ago, I did go and see the tortoises for myself. Their owner had had them for over 30 years back then. The carapaces were watered down for better effect, and their skin colour appeared pinkish/grey. They were both males, and as you can see (by the owners finger in the photo) they were quite small in size, I am sorry I do not have any other photos of them, plastron etc. I have not seen these tortoises since. Thank you in advance...regards Paul...as in T.T. 8)

tortoisetrust · 20-07-2006, 09:01 AM

Very interesting. Cannot give an exact locality, but I can guarantee it is hot and arid. What you are seing here is a climatic morph, and the reduced melanism is designed to improve their 'performance' as it were in extremely hot conditions. Reflectivity is high, and solar gain is low. See article on 'Mystery of the Golden Greeks' at the Tortoise Trust website for more on this. Very interesting tortoises! This same development is seen in S. Morocco, parts of Algeria, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and Jordan to name a few places....

Andy

terrific tortoises · 20-07-2006, 05:04 PM

Thanks very much for that information Andy, and after reading your responce (about possible areas) I am almost sure he mentioned the Lebanon...regards Paul...as in T.T. 8)

tortoisetrust · 24-07-2006, 01:38 PM

Lebanon would be consistent, definitely.

Andy

01-07-2006, 12:53 AM	#1
terrific tortoises Member Juvenile Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 861	ID. ADVICE PLEASE. Hi Andy, I wounder if you could identify these 2 tortoises for me please. These photos were sent to me approx. seven years ago, I did go and see the tortoises for myself. Their owner had had them for over 30 years back then. The carapaces were watered down for better effect, and their skin colour appeared pinkish/grey. They were both males, and as you can see (by the owners finger in the photo) they were quite small in size, I am sorry I do not have any other photos of them, plastron etc. I have not seen these tortoises since. Thank you in advance...regards Paul...as in T.T. 8) __________________

20-07-2006, 05:04 PM	#3
terrific tortoises Member Juvenile Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 861	Thanks very much for that information Andy, and after reading your responce (about possible areas) I am almost sure he mentioned the Lebanon...regards Paul...as in T.T. 8) __________________

20-07-2006, 09:01 AM	#2
tortoisetrust Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 25	Very interesting. Cannot give an exact locality, but I can guarantee it is hot and arid. What you are seing here is a climatic morph, and the reduced melanism is designed to improve their 'performance' as it were in extremely hot conditions. Reflectivity is high, and solar gain is low. See article on 'Mystery of the Golden Greeks' at the Tortoise Trust website for more on this. Very interesting tortoises! This same development is seen in S. Morocco, parts of Algeria, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and Jordan to name a few places.... Andy

24-07-2006, 01:38 PM	#4
tortoisetrust Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 25	Lebanon would be consistent, definitely. Andy

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)