***I will be closing preorders very soon. This is has been the biggest response to these tortoises yet and I do not want to promise anything more than what I am 100% comfortable and confident with. Some locales are already all spoken for.***
2017 Western Hermann’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni hermanni) will be hatching here all throughout this month, April and May. Not to be confused with the common eastern Hermann's tortoise
(Testudo hermanni boettgeri), the western is one of the most endangered reptiles in western Europe today with impurity being one of their biggest threats. They are currently on the IUCN Red List as Endangered B1+2abcde ver 2.3 with continuing decline.
*All March clutches are already
sold out so earliest to reserve are mid to late April hatches.*
Various forms (strains or locales) will be available from continental Italy, insular Italy and the Balearic Islands.
Prices are according to form.
In 2016, population genetic testing showing five continental genetic groups and five insular genetic groups resulted in three evolutionary significant units concerning the western Hermann’s tortoise,
Zenboudji et al. 2016. These clusters consist of continental (mainland Italy, southern France, Albera, Spain and northwest Minorca), insular (Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica) and a second insular (eastern Minorca). Mallorca is not included at this time since they were introduced to the island by humans and more than one haplotype may exist within the overall population. This means Mallorcan tortoises are not an historically native form.
Our own genetic study showed probabilities of what populations the tortoises in our collection belong to in terms of lineage. They have been kept nothing less than 100% pure to their strains and exhibit each and every trait typically assigned to them.
It is once again my absolute pleasure to be able to offer such legitimate animals to the public.
The animals will be entered into the
North American Regional Studbook for
T. h. hermanni. Regarding the studbook and the recent delays, we are creating a web-application for participants to do several things:
1.) Track growth, incubation, hatching, and event data.
2.) Submit newly acquired or newly hatched specimens to be added to the program (this process will help automate the assignment of ID numbers).
3.) View other specimens and data in the studbook.
4.) Make generation of a yearly publication quicker and easier.
It is a huge undertaking to create an interactive studbook, so your patience is much appreciated.
Prices for 2017 hatchlings are as follows:
Continental Italy:
Tuscany- $650, Calabria- $650
SOLD OUT and Apulia (Gargano)- $700
Insular Italy:
Sicily (“Sicilian Spurred”)- $850, Sardinia (giants)- $850
SOLD OUT
Balearic Islands:
Minorca (northwestern)- $650
SOLD OUT, Mallorca- $550
These animals are all born right here from our personal collection. They are in the utmost health and present no concerns. No outside sources or questionable tortoises in our groups, whatsoever. Both F1 and F2 animals (depending on which form) will be available.
Regarding Eastern & Dalmatian Hermann's: We will also have these types of Hermann's available for spring and summer as well. Easterns will be $150 plus shipping and Dalmatians will be $200 each plus shipping.
*Again, these are preorders for 2017 hatchlings which is the same thing we’ve had to do the last 3 years.
*Multiple bloodlines available along with temperature sexed ratios.
*Prices do not include shipping.
*Quantity discounts may be possible depending on overall response.
*Serious inquiries only, please send an e-mail to:
chrleone@gmail.com
**Any and all information (including the differences between locales/forms) pertaining to
Testudo hermanni hermanni can be found on my site dedicated to them:
HermanniHaven.com
Thanks everyone….think spring!
We are here for lifetime support.
Chris & Casey
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