Tortoise-world Forum

Here is Tommi's picture of her inherited tortoise, Tommi;


I think she might be an algerian Graeca but I will wait for others opinions and the vital plastron shots. Tommi..... does she have ivory coloured spurs on her back legs? If you send me some plastron pictures and also shots of her tail and hing-leg area it will be easier to I.D her

I will try and get those tonight. Algerian Graeca??? Sorry my knowledge is still very small. Is there a common name?

Algerian Graeca is the common name. Graeca is the species and she looks like she is from the algerian region, however, I do not keep graecas, and I'm sure that terrypin will be along soon to give a definate I.D- he is a keeper of Graecas and has a lot more experience than I do.

Just be sure that the plastron shot is clear and you also get a shot of the hind legs.

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Hi

I managed to take these pictures this morning, with some difficulty as she seems to be fast asleep and tightly tucked up under her shell. I flicked her leg so she is ok. Hopefully these will give you more of an idea.

I am really concerned about the length of her claws, surely they shouldn't be that long? I don't think she ever had the opportunity to wear them down naturally.

Her claws are really long unfortunatley. I would advise that until you get to a vet that you have some hard substrate, like slate or similar in the enclosure to help wear them down. When she is awake- I would take her to an experienced vet and get her claws done, as if you aren't experienced then you risk damage to the quip.
She is definatley female...
She also has a touch of shell-rot. This is easily treatable if you buy a povidine iodine solution, mixed with water so that tit is the same colour as weak black tea. This mix makes a good solution to scrub the affected area (with a toothbrush or similar). I noticed there was some old shell-rot on the shell too, where there is white in the bottom left side of the shell. This is dead bone that has healed and there won't be an infection in that part. However, you need to keep ontop of the infected shell rot as it is like athletes foot and will easily come back if not kept disinfected.
I assume this tortoise has been kept on a grassy lawn before you've had her?

Good luck with her- she is a stunning tortoise and quite old. I am torn between her subspecies... she could perhaps be a whitei too?

I'm sure Terry will help out

Thanks Josh
With regard to the shell rot, I can see that white bit mentioned, is the rest on the top of the shell? and where do I get the solution you mentioned? I didn't realise there were so many sub species of tortoise! As I said previously, Tommi has been grass and probably carpet bound with her previous owner, so it looks like there is a lot of things to put right in her upbringing. How old do you think she is? I really hope that she has a few good years left in her as I havn't even got to say hello to her yet.

She certainly looks old but not sure how old... If she where a hermanns I'd have a better chance at guessing, but Graecas always look so much older than they are anyway IMO, they have a 'worn' look to them like a horsfield.

The shell rot is on the bottom of her plastron near the tail. Here is a supplier of iodine solution;
http://www.videne.co.uk/
http://www.midmeds.co.uk/videne-surgical...-2104.html

Thanks, have just ordered from the second address. Hopefully Terry will be online later. I am really looking forward to hearing what he has to say about Tommi. Hopefully it will be mostly good. I was expecting a few minor issues knowing that she has probably not been cared for correctly. My husband has just gone shopping in B&Q to get all the bits and bobs to start her out door enclosure. Her little wooden house should be arriving today. The guy that sells these on ebay makes them for the Tortoise Trust.

Do you have the link for the house?? It sounds excellent.

I have just sent the ebay link to your email address. I hope you like it.

Tracey