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What is it?

maggie22195

maggie22195

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Hey guys I need some ID help. We found this tort on our front lawn and we are not sure what it is... Any help would be great! We live in Arizona too if that helps.
 

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maggie22195 said:
Why is the shell red?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I noticed that after I posted. To be honest, it looks more like the Texas desert tortoise (G. berlandieri). I didn't realize they have made it as far west as Arizona, but I looked it up and apparently they have. Google it and see what you think.

Noelle
 
rcarichter said:
Yeah, I noticed that after I posted. To be honest, it looks more like the Texas desert tortoise (G. berlandieri). I didn't realize they have made it as far west as Arizona, but I looked it up and apparently they have. Google it and see what you think.

Noelle
Click to expand...

It still doesn't seem like the shell is as red as this one. Hahaha this is so weird!!
 
I seriously doubt that he's a wild tortoise that "made it as far west as Arizona" due to the pyramiding. The pattern indicates that he was raised indoors (improperly, caused pyramiding) and then placed in an outdoor enclosure 'recently' (smooth growth). He probably escaped from the outdoor enclosure and found his way into your yard. If he was wild or raised properly he'd be smooth.

My vote for the red color is that he is stained from substrate, either a red/orange-clay or a reddish orchid bark. He might lighten up after a couple soaks, maybe a light scrubbing with a toothbrush.

Make sure you check your local laws when it comes to keeping him. I believe that AZ has some of the strictest guidelines when it comes to desert torts.
 
Agreed with Michael. Looks like a Gopherus species, but the pyramiding indicates it was raised indoors. Check your local laws on whether it's legal to have him, try to find the owners, and if you end up keeping it, a great forum for torts, where you can read up more on appropriate care and get a more spot-on species ID, is http://tortoiseforum.org.
 
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