Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

pmpimbura · Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 5:01 pm Post subject: calling chelonia boffins

Right then need a little help on identification of this tort species. Its doesnt have a distinct nuchal scute which indicates that it is Geochelone nigra but there is a little scute there just of centre so it could be Geochelone gigantea or a cross. What do you all think??

regards

Iri Gill

pmpimbura · Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 5:02 pm Post subject:

one more

BIGAL45 · I'm new here... Joined: 06 Apr 2007 Posts: 11 Location: UK

hi it looks like a Geochelone gigantea I am no expert but it looks like the photos in Aldabran Tortoise Expert's Guide book by Richard Cary Paull to me nice looking animal is it yours if so you are so lucky

pmpimbura · Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 9:21 pm Post subject:

well thats what they originally came in as but im not convinced. They arent really mine they are in a lower vertbrates collection that i have recently started to manage

Iri Gill

cazyp · I've settled in... Joined: 02 May 2006 Posts: 37

Hi
I think the nuchal scute is there but small/deformed. Gut feeling says it's gigantea as the proneural/forward costals + general shape don't seem to match any nigra sub species? Always hard to tell from a photo though.

terrific tortoise · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:58 pm Post subject:

pmpimbura, I am not the best at sub species I.D. Rolling Eyes

so I double checked with a friend of mine with 30 years tort keeping...

He agrees, it appears to be Aldabra/Geochelone gigantea...Great looking tort too Wink

...

Every now and then torts do occure with unusual scutes, I had an Ibera born approx. 3 years ago with extra scutes to both his costal and vertebral, it seems quite common.

Heres a pic of the little guy...T.T. Cool

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pmpimbura · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 4:53 pm Post subject:

cheers guys

Iri Gill