Tortoise of Horsfield

The tortoise of Horsfield ( Testudo horsfieldii or O Agrionemys horsfieldii ), sometimes also called " tortoise russe" , is a terrestrial tortoise of small size which one meets in Central Asia, Turkestan Afghanistan, Iran, north of the Pakistan.

It presents a definitely flattened carapace and its tail is finished by a point cornea. One can meet it up to 1200 m of altitude. It hibernates and mountain pasture often at the time of the very dry summers in burrows of up to 12 meters of depth in order to seeking freshness.

It is a protected space but it is possible to have some as pet on the condition buying it of in a country whose legislation authorizes the sale of it. France does not form part of this whole of states, contrary to Belgium.

Subspecies

  • Testudo horsfieldii baluchiorum (Annandale, 1906), Baloutchistan.

Carapace slightly arched, yellow basic coloring clearly with large black spots. The legs, the tail and the head are brown yellowish with some black scales. Dimensions: female, 20 cm; male 18 cm.

The Western Carapace punt, smooth form and with contour more rounded compared to the other subspecies. With half it is almost completely punt and characterized by basic colors yellow-brown, olivâtres or sometimes yellow-olive, with indistinct black drawings, not always present, on the simple scales. Dimensions: 23 cm (female), 20 cm (male)

The form Eastern - carapace of intense coloring orange-chestnut with faded dark spots. The head and legs of coloring marronâtre. Dimensions: 20 cm (female), 18 cm (male)

The carapace has the light shape of dome like that of T.h.hermanni, coloring is different clear energy from ocher-olivâtre to chestnut-olivâtre with single black spots at the top of the scales. The head and the legs are mouchetées of black. Dimensions: 21 cm (female), 18 cm (male).

  • Testudo horsfieldii rustamovi (Chkhikvadze, Amiranashvili & Ataev, 1990), Turkmenistan, Iran.
The carapace is presented in the form of a more punt and oblong that of the other subspecies. Scales very dark and bordered of yellow. The head and the legs have a coloring noirâtre or marronâtre. Dimensions: female, 17 cm; male 15 cm. T.h.rustamovi lives in mountainous areas, up to 2500 m, emaciated or with sand dunes. With a fresher climate in summer, it mountain pasture not. It is more active during the year, from May to September.

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