Hello, i have inherited a tortoise, but i don't know what tortoise he actually is... I am caring for him as his owner has passed away - and had very limited opportunity to find out about him from his owner :-(

I have had him a week now, and i would love to find out more so i can look after him better, i know he will be wanting to hibernate soon, and i have got lots of info from your site, and also couple of books to refer to.

Please can someone identify him for me?  Thankyou in anticipation :-)

Hi there. From what I can see, he looks like Testudo graeca ibera, the Turkish Spur-thighed. Your photos do not enlarge on my computer so it is very difficult to get a good look. Any chance of a close up of the head (side view), and under shell, plus clear shot of tail/back leg area? Only then can a more positive id be made. Any other members got opinions or definite id from current pics?

You are very lucky to get this torty. Please do spend ages reading up on sites such as this...and ask even the most basic questions...we will do our very best to help. Check up about how to weigh and measure, and seek out a good tortoise or exotics vet so that if ever there is an emergency or major worry, you will know who to contact. Good luck, and keep in touch. 

Regards, David nr York

Thanks for your reply, David.

This is a wonderful site, and i have found alot of information from here and the tortoise table website.

I have two photos that aren't that great but the best i can do, one of the head and one of underneath his shell.

He previously lived entirely outdoors with free run of the entire garden, and he is a little 'grubby' is the best word i can think to describe him - he used to bury himself in the garden, and to my knowledge, his old owner would wait for his face at the patio doors after christmas! - Now, whilst he's with me, he will not be able to do the same, as i have a need to know where he is, and have him a nice box, within a crate and he will live in the outhouse where i can check on him and keep the temperature good for him. What i would like to ask is that after all these years being 'free' to hibernate where he likes do you think i am doing the right thing by planning his hibernation for him - As currently is a little early - we have 23C day and 11C nights?

He has not eaten for 10days now and has no interest in nothing (pining or gearing up for hibernation?) He has done a 'poo' 10days ago also, and only a passing of the white 'wee' only today.

I live in Lincolnshire, and do not seem to have a local fab tortoise vet, none on any list i have come across so far - does anyone else in Lincolnshire reading my post, know of someone...? :-) If not i will have a travel!!

Thankyou, and sorry for the long post!

Hope you got your answer - it's a hermanns ;)