Comparison Sheet
Charting out all differences and experience levels needed for each species of Tortoise available.
Arid & Grassland Tortoises
Scientific Name
Size
Level of Difficulty
Behavior
Located
Eating Habits
Physical Attributes
Greek's
Testudo G.
Ibera
<10"
Beginner
Very hardy.
Serbia to Iran
Herbivore
Oval in body shape, sometimes sporting a large flare at the end of their shells. They can be extremely yellow or rusty orange in base color with deep brown markings over their shells.
Goldens Greeks's
Testudo G.
Terrestris
<7"
Intermediate
Delicate but outgoing.
Syria
Herbivore
We Are selectively breeding for two varriants of Golden Greek. Peach phase and Banana phase. Higher grades have no dark coloration on them what-so-ever, hypomalanistic if you will.
Russians's
Testudo
Horsfieldii
<8"
Beginner
Very outgoing and hardy.
Western Asia
Herbivore
Round tortoises in shades of yellow tan to peach tan. Sometimes they will have dark brown splotches on their shell.
Leopard's
Stigmochelys
Pardalis
<15"
Beginner
Even tempered and aloof.
East Africa
Herbivore
Very high contrast of either white or egg white with black hashes or rings across their shells. Pyramiding is not a healthy characteristic of this species.
Star's
Geochelone
Elegans
<7"
Intermediate
Can be extremely shy and introverted
India and Pakistan
Herbivore
Very high contrast and small, Stars are black and white with a star burst pattern on each of their scutes.
Hermann's
Testudo
Hermanni
<7"
Beginner
Even tempered and outgoing.
Eastern Europe
Herbivore
Very high contrasting mustard yellow and black hash marks across their oval shells. Usually sporting yellow faces.
Tropical Tortoises
Scientific Name
Size
Level of Difficulty
Behavior
Located
Eating Habits
Physical Attributes
Cherry Head's
Chelonoidis carbonaria
<10"
Intermediate
Very hardy.
Brazil
Omnivorous
Oval in body shape. Usually black shell with radiating white pattern. Bright red or orange face scales, and arm and leg scales.
Elongated's
Indotestudo elongate
​
<14"
Intermediate
Delicate but outgoing. Very active at dusk
Southern China to Vietnam
​
Omnivorous
Paleyellow skin with a pale yellow shell. Sometimes the shell may have dark hashing on it depending on locality of the Elongated.
Emy's
Manouria emys
​
<24"
Intermediate
Very outgoing and hardy.
Malaysia, Sumatra, Brneo
​
Herbivore
Called the brown mountain tortoises for the dark brown, almost black shell.
Red Foot's
Chelonoidis carbonaria
<15"
Beginner
Even tempered and outgoing.
​
Guyana
Omnivorous
Black to brown shell coloration with little to no radiation. face, neck, arm and leg scales can be yellow, white, orange or pink.