Golden Greek Tortoise (T. terrestris)

Spotted Pattern Male	Patternless Male

 

The Golden Greek Tortoise  group is a somewhat confusing group to identify.   Starting in the 90's, several shipments of near-patternless yellowish tortoises came into the country under the name "Golden Greeks".  These first specimens varied between near solid cream to pale yellow specimens with  maybe a few black center scute dots,  to solid pale yellow to a very few that were yellow with peach overtones.  These were highly prized for their unique coloration and for awhile several importations landed in the United States. Unfortunately most came in with respiratory problems and overall did poorly and were lost to herpetoculture.  After these initial shipments of golden specimens,  the collectors moved on to other locales, where the T terrestris were less and less golden color and more heavily marked with the more typical Greek tortoise markings.  Some of these plainer specimens have come into the country over the years but due to their less attractive coloration, most have disappeared into the pet trade.  With the opening of Libya in 2005-6, a few more ofthe  classic "Golden" colored Golden Greeks have entered the country.  Luckily, interests in captive breeding are at an all time high so these have mostly gone to breeders to try to finally establish this unique species in North American herpetoculture.  The most recently imported groups vary  between the types described above to ones that are heavily patterned in the typical "Greek" black "C" pattern  to ones with the black markings replaced with rich mahogany brown over a peach tinted shell.  Many also had the classic black mask that the originally described  "taxonomic type" specimens were described as having.  

 We predominately set up the high peach phase specimens, selecting both near-patternless and spotted individuals as our foundation group.  These have a very distinct peach tint to both the skin and shells that in some specimens  almost glows!  The effect is extremely difficult to capture in a photograph as the peach coloration seems to come out more tannish and losses the "glowing" qualities so evident in real life.  Adult size varies by locale and as these specimens are from an as yet unknown locale, we can only guess as too the final adult size.   Most our stock is currently in the 4 1/2" size range and  400 grams. but our solid cream specimens obtained in 2001-2 are already over 1000 grams and 6".

It's too soon to predict when we might have offspring from this group, but if they follow the path of our other Goldens, it will be a year or two before they settle in and produce for us.   In the mean time we will be releasing a few extra males and if more enter the country, we will do our best to select the best possible for release to our customers.   We need to reserve the females for sales to breeding homes only (no pet buyers please) as we'd like to help get this species established in N. America.  We do not expect  them to be imported in any great numbers or for very long so we need to try to maximize the numbers being setup for continuing the species.   We do expect to have extra males periodically available for those wishing simply a striking pet, so please contact us if a Golden Greek is on your wish list.

We ship based on the prevailing weather patterns between us and you. Usually we can ship most weeks, but when large storms/severe heat/cold are forecasted, we prefer to hold off.   Please see  "Deer Fern Farms Ordering / Prices" for ordering information.

Back to Main Reptile Page	Back to Main Tortoise Page	Ordering / Prices