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 of the  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've 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.  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 and  400 gram for males, and 6", 800 grams for our females.

Our group began giving us fertile eggs in 2008 and are slowly becoming productive.  We're still looking for more breeding stock to increase our colony but animals of the same type are hard to come by.  As of fall 2009, the currently imported "Goldens" appear to be a new morph - slightly heavier patterned  and with a sloping front carapace - similar but clearly not quite the same critters!   

We plan on continuing to purchase select groups of  Goldens if and when  they enter the country so we can set up the best breeding groups possible.  So we should have a few extras available for  re-sale off and on.  Please check back periodically or e-mail us to get on our "Wanted" list if you're looking for  breeding stock or a companion animal yourself.   We hope to have small numbers of hatchlings  available in mid to late summer so lets us know in advance if a hatchling is on your wish list.

Please see our "Testudo Care Sheet"   for care information before purchasing any Golden Greeks from us.

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

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