Hi, i have recently been given a tortoise.  I was told that he is a 14 year old male Sulcatta, however after doing a little research i actually think that he is a Female mediteranian spur thighed.  But here is the thing, my friend has moved to the mainland and i have lost all contact with him (i live on the isle of wight).  What i am wondering is, do i need any certificates or paperwork for her, and also can anyone tell me exactly what she is and if she is a she?, or at least tell me how to id the sex.  I can tell you that she has a spur on each of her back legs on the tail side quite close to the base of the legs and the tail is short and rounded.  Also would anyone be able to give me a diet list of what i should be giving her?

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Hi Christian
At 14 if it was a sulcatta it would be treble the size. By your description of short round tail, that would be a female. You don't need a certificate unless you are going to breed or sell the tort. A photo of the plastron (underneath) would be good to try and ID
Jane

Hi Jane,

I have uploaded a photo of the plastron and also a photo of her back end, i hope these help.  The reason why im fairly positive that she is a mediteranian spur thighed, is because the guy who gave her to me also gave me a book, there is a photo in there of a med spur thigh and she looks the spitting image :D thank you for answering my last post, and i hope you can help.  Also does it look like there is something wrong with her shell to you? as there is almost a shelf abouve her bum and ive never seen this before. 

Thanks again

Christian

Hello Christian.

Having looked at tail...think its he not she. There are some signs of abnormal growth attributable to poor diet at some stage. I have seen a lot worse than this. Do not stress, just give best care henceforth.

Anyone out there got an opinion?

Regards, David nr York.

Hi David,

the reason why i thought its a girl, is after doing some research online, i found that quite alot of people say: if it is a mediteranian spur thighed, then the males have a spur on the tip of the tail and the scute above the tail has a line vertically through it (almost like two scutes), and mine only has a single piece scute.  Although as you have probably guessed im quite new to tortoises and any help is very much appreciated. (honestly im not arguing with you just explaining what ive found).  Is there anyway that (with the correct diet) its shell will grow out to the proper shape?.

thank you again

Christian

Hi Christian
I agree with David that is definately a boy, the cloaca is long nd the vent is a slit. Once abnormal growth is evident you cannot correct, but with the right diet and slowing down the growth it does not become so noticable. try only feeding 6 days out of 7. What diet are you feeding and what is your set up?
Jane

Hi Jane,

The diet i have him on at the moment is grated - carrots, parsnip and butternut squash with chicory greens, watercress and diced celery.  Previous owners Diet. Ive only had him for three days now (got him on thursday).  The set up that i was given with him is a rectangular glass tank approx: 2ft x 1ft x 1ft, i am in the process of getting some timber and making him a tortoise table. With this setup, i only have a basking lamp (again at the moment) he said that in the summer you only need this as you can put the tort outside for the uv light.  Any tips on diet, lighting etc... would be very helpful.  Also do you know what species he is? if not an educated guess would be greatfully recieved. 

Christian

Also Jane, his carapace is 6.5 inchs long and the plastron is 140mm i hope this helps (somehow)

Hi Christian
I am almost sure that he is a graeca graeca (Spur thigh) have a read of the care sheet link I have attached.
The sizes you have given are not really relevant, it should be length with head and tail in, weight.
The diet you have him on still is  not, he needs weeds, dandelions, plantain, mallow etc dusted with nutrobal for all his dietary needs, there are lots more weeds he can have but you need to be sure of which ones, go the Tortoise table website
Anyway have a read of this link and then fire away witht eh questions
http://www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk/site/89.asp
Jane