18 Different Tortoise Species Identification Guide

There are nearly 50 recognized tortoises worldwide, all spread across many different habitats and geographical regions, including Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. 

The diversity among these fascinating reptiles, including vast differences in size, dietary preferences, and life span, is a testament to each species’ adaptations, where they have become uniquely suited to their environmental conditions, ranging from arid desert areas to tropical rainforests.

Understanding tortoises’ individual behaviors and characteristics is crucial for their conservation and enriches our interactions and ability to care for them in captivity. 

Here’s a guide to eighteen of my favorite tortoise breeds from around the world, ranging from some of the more popular species commonly kept as pets to those sadly dwindling in numbers and highly endangered. 

1) Greek Tortoise

Scientific Name: Testudo graeca graeca

Distribution: Primarily found in North Africa, Southern Spain, and parts of Southern Italy and the Balkans. The range of the Greek Tortoise extends into coastal regions where Mediterranean climates provide their preferred dry, warm environments.

Adult Size: Length: 5-8” or 13-20 cm. Weight: 2-9 lbs or 1-4 kg 

Conservation Status: Listed as “Vulnerable” on IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 

Brumation: October to March or April (depending on local climate) 

Appearance: High-domed shell that ranges from yellowish to dark brown, with unique, bold markings. Tan or yellow skin with darker spots. Males have longer, more protruding gular horns on the plastron, which aids in combat and mating dominance displays.

2) Western Hermann’s Tortoise 

Scientific Name: Testudo hermanni hermanni

Distribution: Spain, France, Italy, and some Mediterranean islands such as Corsica, Sardinia, and Majorca.

Adult Size: Length: 5-7” or 13-18 cm. Weight: 1-4.5lbs or 0.5-2kg

Conservation Status: Listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.

Brumation: October to March or April (depending on local climate) 

Appearance: The Western Hermann’s has yellow skin with vibrant yellow-gold and black shell with distinct keyhole-shaped markings to the rear and two distinct black bands down the center of the plastron. A distinguished yellow spot behind each eye is known as the sub-ocular patch.

3) Eastern Hermann’s Tortoise 

Scientific Name: Testudo hermanni boettgeri

Distribution: Found throughout southeastern Europe, including Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, and former Yugoslav republics.

Adult Size: Length: 6-11” or 16-28cm. Weight: 2-6.5lbs or 1-3kg 

Conservation Status: Listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.

Brumation: October to March or April (depending on local climate).

Appearance: Shell is more domed than the Western coloration, similar but more subdued, and the markings are less pronounced.  

4) Horsfield’s Tortoise (Russian Tortoise)

Scientific Name: Testudo [Agrionemys] horsfieldii

Distribution: Across Central Asia, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia.

Adult Size: Length: 5-10” or 13-25 cm. Weight: 2-4 lbs or 1-2 kg

Conservation Status: Vulnerable.

Brumation: October to March or April (depending on the severity of the winter climate).

Appearance: Blunt nose, sandy skin, and flatter shell than other species, with colors ranging from olive to brown and darker circling on each scute (the plates of the shell). Also more commonly known as Russian Tortoise.

5) Marginated Tortoise

Scientific Name: Testudo marginata

Distribution: Native to Greece, Italy, and the Balkans.

Adult Size: Length: One of the larger European species, growing to 14” or 35cm. Weight: 6.5-11 lbs or 3-5kg

Conservation Status: Vulnerable.

Brumation: October to March or April (depending on winter climate severity).

Appearance: Highly domed shell that flares at the rear. The blunt nose and dark shell with bold patterns of yellow or cream. Thick and scaly skin that is predominantly dark to match its shell and help with heat absorption. 

6) Egyptian Tortoise or Kleinmann’s Tortoise

Scientific Name: Testudo kleinmanni

Distribution: Found in North Africa, the Middle East, Libya, and Egypt.

Adult Size: Length: 5” or 13 cm. Weight: 3.4-17.6oz or 100-500g

Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Brumation: Does not typically brumate due to warm habitat.

Appearance: Highly domed shell and relatively flat plastron that are pale goldy-yellow to ivory with few markings. Skin is sandy or creamy in color and texture to enhance dessert camouflage. 

7) Leopard Tortoise

Scientific Name: Stigmochelys pardalis

Distribution: Widespread in sub-Saharan Africa.

Adult Size: Length: Up to 27” or 70cm. Weight: 40-88 lbs or 18-40kg

Conservation Status: Not currently listed as endangered.

Brumation: Does not brumate; active year-round.

Appearance: Known for its bold black and yellow-gold blotches that resemble a leopard’s coat, the carapace is highly domed and tapers towards the rear. The skin is colored in shades that match the darker parts of its shell.

Their distinctive patterning provides camouflage in their natural habitat and makes each tortoise uniquely identifiable.

8) Red-Footed Tortoise

Scientific Name: Chelonoidis carbonaria

Distribution: Native to South America, found from Panama to Argentina.

Adult Size: Length: 12-16” or 30-40 cm. Weight: 9-13 lbs or 4-6kg

Conservation Status: Vulnerable.

Brumation: It does not brumate due to its tropical habitat.

Appearance: The Red-foot Tortoise is easily recognizable due to its brightly colored limbs and head, which are adorned with patches of red, orange, or yellow, particularly on the legs, tail, and head. 

It also has a dark-colored, moderately domed carapace with a pattern of lighter, radiating lines on each scute, giving it a star-like appearance. 

9) Yellow-Footed Tortoise 

Scientific Name: Chelonoidis denticulatus

Distribution: Amazon Basin of South America.

Adult Size: Length: Slightly more significant than the red-footed, can reach up to 20” or 50cm. Weight: 18-33 lbs or 8-15kg. 

Conservation Status: Vulnerable due to habitat destruction and exploitation.

Brumation: Does not brumate.

Appearance: Similar to the red-footed but with vivid yellowish markings on the limbs, head, and tail and contracting yellowish or orange growth rings on each scute.

10) Indian Star Tortoise

Scientific Name: Geochelone elegans

Distribution: Native to dry regions of India and Sri Lanka.

Adult Size: Length: 6-10” or 15-25 cm. Weight: 2.2-4.4lbs or 1-2 kg

Conservation Status: Vulnerable.

Brumation: Does not typically brumate.

Appearance: One of the most visually appealing tortoise species thanks to the distinctive and highly ornate star-like patterns on its shell. Each scute on its high-domed carapace features a black base with bold, cream, or yellow lines extending outward, creating a striking starburst effect. 

The rest of its body, including the legs and head, is generally colored to match the darker tones of the shell, helping it blend into its natural surroundings. 

11) Burmese Star Tortoise 

Scientific Name: Geochelone platy nota

Distribution: Endemic to Myanmar.

Adult Size: Length: 12” or 30 cm. Weight: 7- 9 lbs or 3-4 kg

Conservation Status: Critically Endangered.

Brumation: It does not typically brumate due to its tropical habitat.

Appearance: With a slightly protruding snout and dark skin, the Burmese Star tortoise has a striking and intricate pattern on its highly domed shell. Each scute is dark brown or black and features a star-like pattern with light, radiating lines that create a captivating visual effect while providing camouflage in its natural environment.

12) Sulcata or African Spurred Tortoise

Scientific Name: Centrochelys sulcata

Distribution: Southern regions of the Sahara Desert and Sahel in Africa, from Senegal to Ethiopia

Adult Size: Length can exceed 2 ft or 100 cm. Weight: Over 220 lbs or 100 kg.

Conservation Status: Vulnerable.

Brumation: Does not brumate but may become less active during extreme heat.

Appearance: Wide, oval shell of yellowy brown, with distinct grooves at its front and back edges and featuring noticeable growth rings on each scute. Sulcata tortoises also have two or three horn-shaped scales on the rear surface of their thighs (spurs). 

13) Elongated Tortoise

Scientific Name: Indotestudo elongata

Distribution: Southeast Asia, including India, Thailand, and Malaysia.

Adult Size: Length: 12” or 30 cm. Weight: 4-6 lbs or 1.8-2.7kg 

Conservation Status: Endangered.

Brumation: Does not brumate due to heat in the natural environment.

Appearance: Relatively flat and elongated shell with dark brown or black and yellow markings. The scutes are often edged with a lighter color, creating a somewhat segmented appearance. This streamlined shell design helps the tortoise navigate through underbrush and tight spaces in its natural forest habitats.

14) Pancake Tortoise

Scientific Name: Malacochersus tornieri

Distribution: Native to Kenya and Tanzania.

Adult Size: Length: 7” or 18 cm. Weight: 1-1.5lbs or 450-680g

Conservation Status: Vulnerable.

Brumation: No brumation due to warm, consistent climate.

Appearance: The Pancake tortoise is perfectly adapted to its rocky native environment thanks to its uniquely flat and flexible shell that allows it to wedge itself into narrow crevices and its thin, pale yellowy-brown arms and legs that enable it to move quickly and squeeze into tight spaces.

Its brown shell features a pattern of dark brown or black radiating lines that further enhance the camouflage effect.

15) Speckled Padloper Tortoise

Scientific Name: Homopus signatures

Distribution: Native to South Africa.

Adult Size: Length: 2.4-3.1” or 6-8 cm. Weight: 3.4-5.8oz or 95-165g. Females are typically larger than males.

Conservation Status: Vulnerable.

Brumation: No brumation due to warm, consistent climate.

Appearance: The Speckled Padloper is the world’s smallest tortoise due to its diminutive size. Its shell coloration ranges from light brown to reddish-brown with speckled darker spots (for camouflage), and its low shape enables it to navigate through sparse vegetation and small crevices easily. 

16) Asia Minor Tortoise

Scientific Name: Testudo graeca ibera

Distribution: Found in Eastern Europe and Western Asia.

Adult Size: Length: 6-10” or 15-25 cm. Weight: 2-9 lbs or 1-4 kg.

Conservation Status: Vulnerable.

Brumation: Yes, particularly in the northern parts of its range where temperatures are more relaxed.

Appearance: Features an elongated shell that is yellowy-brown and has contrasting light and dark markings, which are often less pronounced when compared to its cousin, the Thigh-Spurred tortoise. 

17) Gopher Tortoise

Latin Name: Gopherus polyphemus

Distribution: Native to the southeastern United States, mainly found in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Mississippi, and parts of Louisiana. It inhabits dry upland habitats such as sandhills, pine flatwoods, and coastal dunes.

Adult Size: Length: 9 to 15” or 23-38 cm. Weight: 8-15 lbs or 3.6-6.8kg.

Conservation Status: Classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List.

Brumation: Do not truly hibernate but may become less active during colder months.

Appearance: Broad, oval shell that is generally tan, brown, or grey. The shell has growth rings on each scute, which become less prominent as they age. The plastron is lighter than the carapace, and the skin is typically greyish or brown.

Its front legs are shovel-like and well adapted for burrowing in sandhills, while the hind legs are more columnar. The head is relatively small, and the nose is blunt.

18) Galápagos Tortoise

Latin Name: Chelonoidis nigra

Distribution: This tortoise giant is native to the Galápagos Islands, a volcanic archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) off the coast of Ecuador. Each central island in the archipelago has its tortoise subspecies adapted to unique environmental conditions.

Adult Size: Length: 4-6ft or 122-183cm. Weight: 250-500 lbs or 113-227kg.

Conservation Status: Listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List, though some subspecies are considered Endangered. 

Brumation: No, although they may show seasonal variations in activity levels depending on the environmental conditions.

Appearance: The Galápagos Tortoise has a large, dome-shaped shell, with some subspecies exhibiting a “saddleback” shell shape that allows them to extend their necks higher to reach vegetation. 

Shell color can range from dark black to a more brownish hue. They have thick, scaly limbs well-suited to their slow-moving lifestyle and rugged terrain. 

These tortoises are known for their longevity, with many living well over 100 years, contributing to their fame and symbolic representation of the Galápagos.

Geographic Distribution of Tortoises

Tortoises may be easily identifiable by their iconic shells and slow-paced life, but what about distinguishing between the nuances of Desert, Forest, and Mediterranean tortoises? 

Each distinct species has evolved unique characteristics tailored to their specific environments. This enables them to exhibit a physical form and make the behavioral adaptations needed to survive in diverse habitats worldwide.

Desert Tortoises

To ensure survival in one of the most challenging climates, desert tortoises have made adaptations that make them well-suited to their environment’s extreme conditions and stark landscapes. This allows them to tolerate the relentless heat of the day and cool (even cold) nights. 

In domestic settings, both Sulcata and Russian are famous worldwide as pet desert tortoises. 

Shell Characteristics: They’re typically light-colored, and the high-domed carapace is designed to reflect the sun’s rays, helping to minimize dehydration and regulate body temperature. This means they can stay more relaxed during the intense midday heat and serves as a thermal barrier to insulate them against cooler nights.

Burrowing: Desert tortoises have stout limbs covered in robust scales; some even have flipper-like fins to aid their ability to dig burrows. Returning to these caves, they can take advantage of the more stable temperatures underground and seek refuge from extreme temperatures.

Activity Patterns: Desert tortoises remain in their burrow and are largely inactive during the hotter parts of the day, with most of their activity occurring during dawn and dusk. 

Hibernation: Although Desert tortoises do not technically hibernate, they can enter a state of summer dormancy known as estivation. This helps them conserve energy and reduce their metabolic needs, reducing their body temperature and water requirements.

Hydration: Desert tortoises can store water in their bladders for long periods. This allows them to stay hydrated and better manage their internal temperatures by reabsorbing fluid into their bodies as needed.

Diet: Their herbivorous diet of wildflowers, grasses, and cacti provides both nourishment and water. Their eating patterns change with the seasons, enabling them to conserve energy when food is scarce. 

Breeding: For Desert tortoises, successful reproduction often correlates with Spring rainfall, stimulating plant growth and ensuring hatchlings’ food availability.

Forest Tortoises

The evolution of Forest tortoises means they have adapted to the dense vegetation and hot, humid tropical and subtropical conditions in which they live. 

Some of the more popular pet varieties of forest tortoises include the Red-footed, Yellow-footed and Elongated tortoise. 

Shell Characteristics: The shells of forest tortoises are generally darker than those of their desert counterparts. This darker pigmentation means they can absorb warmth from the dappled forest sunlight and blend seamlessly into the shadowy undergrowth. 

Their shells are rounded and smoother, allowing effortless manoeuvrability through dense underbrush.

Behavioral Thermoregulation: Forest tortoises are excellent at adapting to the varied thermal micro-environments in their habitats. They can often be seen basking in sunlit patches that break through the canopy to warm up or retreating into the cooler, shaded areas and shallow water bodies to prevent overheating. 

Activity Patterns: Like desert tortoises, forest tortoises are crepuscular, meaning they are more active during the more excellent parts of the day, like early morning and late afternoon. 

During extreme heat or heavy rainfall, they may retreat into caves or shelter under fallen leaves and dense undergrowth to maintain a stable body temperature.

Hibernation: While Forest tortoises do not hibernate, they can enter a decreased activity known as torpor. By reducing their metabolic activity, they can conserve energy during excessively dry or cool seasons. 

Hydration: Forest tortoises have access to an abundant water supply, making it easy to stay hydrated. Additionally, evaporation of moisture from their skin and the humidity in their environment provides a cooling effect to help them maintain an optimal body temperature.

Diet: Forest tortoises exhibit a diet that mirrors the rich biodiversity of their habitats, consisting of leafy greens, fruits, mushrooms, and flowers. They also occasionally eat small amounts of animal matter, such as invertebrates, which provide protein and minerals and are especially important for juveniles.

In captivity, Forest tortoises should be fed vegetation in the main, with only occasional fruit and meat as a rare treat. 

Breeding: Their breeding patterns can be irregular and are often triggered by the onset of the rainy season. The abundance of water and lush vegetation provides optimal conditions for offspring survival.

Mediterranean Tortoises

Mediterranean Tortoises are native to the broad-ranging climates and landscapes of the Mediterranean, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, often rainy winters. 

Just like their forest and desert cousins, they, too, exhibit a range of unique physiological and behavioral adaptations that allow them to effectively regulate their body temperature in this region’s variable environment.

Popular Mediterranean tortoise pets include Greek, Hermann’s, and Marginated species.

Shell Characteristics: The shells of most Mediterranean tortoises feature a range of colors and patterns that blend well with their natural surroundings, from scrublands to grassy hillsides. 

Each species’ unique coloration and patterning helps provide camouflage and has a functional aspect in thermoregulation. Their shells are moderately dome-shaped, providing an efficient structure for heat dissipation when exposed to direct sunlight.

Thermoregulation: Mediterranean tortoises are skilled at utilizing the microclimates available within their environment. They frequently seek shade under bushes, rocks, or in the crevices of rocky landscapes to escape the midday heat. 

Conversely, during more excellent parts of the day, they can often be found basking on sunlit rocks or open areas to elevate their body temperature.

Basking Behavior: Basking in the sun plays a critical role in the daily routine of Mediterranean tortoises, especially during the cooler months. Sun exposure not only aids in thermoregulation but is also essential for vitamin D synthesis, which is crucial for their shell and overall health.

Hibernation: To cope with the colder months and scarce food availability, Mediterranean tortoises hibernate by burrowing into the ground to escape the cold. They dig burrows or find suitable hiding spots where they can remain dormant for several months. 

This period of inactivity helps them conserve energy and maintain their body temperature at a minimal level, reducing metabolic waste and extending their survivability during winter.

Diet: These tortoises are opportunistic feeders. Their diet reflects the vegetation typically found in Mediterranean regions and includes a wide array of native leafy greens, grasses, herbs, succulents, and seasonal fruits.

A varied diet allows them to stay hydrated and absorb the fiber and calcium needed for shell health and digestion. 

Activity Patterns: Mediterranean tortoises are predominantly active during the mornings and late afternoons when the temperature is milder. Their activity decreases significantly during peak heat hours to avoid overheating, and their movement patterns are closely tied to the thermal gradients within their habitat.

Breeding: Activities peak shortly after they awaken from hibernation, with females laying eggs in carefully excavated nests, ensuring their young are born during the most favorable conditions of early Spring.

Summary

Whether you’re a keen herpetologist or just starting in your discovery of tortoises, being able to identify and deepen your knowledge and appreciation of these remarkable reptiles is a worthwhile pursuit. 

By studying their physical features, habitats, and behaviors, you’ll gain insight into the ecological role of these resilient creatures, contribute to their preservation, and equip yourself with the knowledge needed to be a conscientious tortoise keeper. 

Citations

• Reptiles Magazine – The Burmese Star Tortoise
• Star Tortoise Garden – Greek Tortoise Care
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Library – Diet Fact sheet