Can tortoises cross breed?

[Nathen]

I was given my tortoises about 6 or 7yrs ago and was told that the adult was the mother of the two smaller ones. the adult is a spur thigh but the smaller ones look more like hermans as they dont have the spurs but they have a bony bit on the end of their tails. can the little ones be cross breeds or has there just been a mistake and the spur thigh is not their mothe?

[wizzasmum]

Originally Posted by Nathen

I was given my tortoises about 6 or 7yrs ago and was told that the adult was the mother of the two smaller ones. the adult is a spur thigh but the smaller ones look more like hermans as they dont have the spurs but they have a bony bit on the end of their tails. can the little ones be cross breeds or has there just been a mistake and the spur thigh is not their mothe?

It is more likely that the spur thigh is not theri mother although they can cross breed. Offspring of such crosses are usually infertile thankfully as the last thing we want is a repeat of what has happened in the dog world Where did you get them? Are you sure it was a breeder and not just a dealer? Did you have certs for these torts, as hermanns or spur thighs should both have them, although if given away would not be illegal without them.

[terrypin]

hi i think there has been a mistake somewhere so if you could post clear pictures of both adult and youngsters, in particular the plastrons.i feel these may be spurthighed ibera in which case the hatchlings can resemble hermans hatchlings when they first hatch so if we get a positive identification first that would be best.
terry

[Nathen]

sorry havent got any pics of their plastrons, but i got these.

this is the smallest and the biggest.

heres the other small one.

and another pic of the adult.

i got them from someone my sister used to work with, i think she used to rescue tortoises.

[XoxOriptideOxoX]

ooooo wired OO

[purplepixie]

Two completley different speices, the larger being a graeca graeca and the smaller looks like an ibera. Although both are called spur-thighed.

[happytort]

Originally Posted by wizzasmum

It is more likely that the spur thigh is not theri mother although they can cross breed. Offspring of such crosses are usually infertile thankfully as the last thing we want is a repeat of what has happened in the dog world

tortoises can cross breed, some keepers do some dont, i would assume its usually between "sub species" as some "graeca" cross breed in the wild!

wizzamum, not having a go, do you have any information on the infertile thing because i am really interested in this theory but couldnt find much, thanks

[happytort]

Originally Posted by purplepixie

Two completley different speices, the larger being a graeca graeca and the smaller looks like an ibera. Although both are called spur-thighed.

im confused is the mother in the picture, or is this the two "babies"

i see a graeca graeca and a a hermans or spur thigh

[purplepixie]

Top picture small one ibera (I think, if it has a spur on the tail then its hermans) the large one is graeca graeca.
Next picture is again I think ibera, but as in the first picture could be a hermans if spur on the end of the tail.
Last picture is a graeca graeca.

[wizzasmum]

Originally Posted by happytort

tortoises can cross breed, some keepers do some dont, i would assume its usually between "sub species" as some "graeca" cross breed in the wild!

wizzamum, not having a go, do you have any information on the infertile thing because i am really interested in this theory but couldnt find much, thanks

Will check it out for you - ask again tomorrow if I forget - I have a worn out brain lol