Welcome back to Turtle Tea with TTPG - the definitive Turtle and Tortoise Podcast! In this episode, host Wendy Montroy sits down with Chris Leone of Garden State Tortoise to do a deep dive into the complex and often confusing world of Mediterranean tortoises.

Chris shares the incredible personal story that sparked his lifelong obsession with the Testudo genus, involving a 1990s flight from Italy and a tortoise in a purse, before pivoting into the cutting-edge science of chelonian preservation. We discuss the limits of relying purely on morphology, the historical impact of the pet trade, and the shocking reality of hybrid genetics occurring right now in the wild.

Whether you keep Greek tortoises (Testudo graeca), Hermann’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni), or are just passionate about reptile conservation, this episode is packed with essential insights on keeping subspecies and localities pure and managing captive collections responsibly.

Episode Q&A

Q: How many subspecies of Greek tortoises (Testudo graeca) actually exist?

A: It is a heavily loaded and debated question in taxonomy. While some splitters classify up to 20 distinct variations, most current consensus lands between 7 and 9 recognized subspecies.

Q: Why is relying strictly on visual traits (morphology) like shell color so risky for keepers?

A: Color and markings can be incredibly deceiving. Environmental factors, age (many tortoises turn black as they grow older), and overlapping natural integration zones mean two completely different subspecies can look nearly identical. True morphology requires looking at finer structural details.

Q: What did Chris's recent genetic testing reveal about imports labeled as Testudo graeca armeniaca (Araxes tortoise)?

A: By studying obscure literature and field data, Chris suspected a beautifully domed, massive tortoise imported within an armeniaca group was actually a Testudo graeca buxtoni. Blood testing confirmed this 100%, proving that rare, distinct subspecies are hiding undetected within standard commercial imports.

Q: How severe is the threat of genetic hybridization in wild tortoise populations?

A: It is a major conservation crisis. On the mainland of Southern France, field biologists have discovered that roughly 18% to 20% of the wild Hermann's tortoises found are actually hybrids - meaning nearly 1 in 5 wild tortoises are facing genetic dilution.

Resources:

A Lab Tested Our Tortoises: Results Change Their Future Forever. - a must watch video for more info about everything we talk about in the episode

For more information on turtle conservation and husbandry, visit ⁠Turtletea.org⁠ or join the ⁠Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group (TTPG) ⁠community. You can find Chris Leone on ⁠the Garden State Tortoise⁠ YouTube channel. For info on the Hermann's genetics work visit https://www.hermannihaven.com/our-genetics-project-more

Not a TTPG member yet? ⁠⁠⁠Join us⁠⁠⁠! The ⁠⁠⁠Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group⁠⁠⁠ is full of the kindest, most knowledgable and FUN turtle people on the planet!

Are leopard tortoises one of the world's worst pet tortoises? Or are they just deeply misunderstood, notoriously sensitive giants?

In this episode of Turtle Tea with TTPG, host Wendy Montroy sits down with dedicated keeper and breeder Cliff Graham-Lee (Pink Tortz) to unlock the mysteries behind Stigmochelys pardalis. From navigating the confusing genetic mix of South African versus East African localities to the strict realities of managing their hyper-sensitive respiratory systems, Cliff pulls no punches on what it actually takes to keep these majestic animals thriving.

Whether you are tracking rapid growth rings, trying to dial in the delicate dance of warm-season humidity, or wondering how to structure a massive indoor winter enclosure, this episode is packed with essential husbandry insights you will not find on a standard care sheet. Dive in to learn why the animal is always the cheapest part of the setup, how to handle silent pathogens like Mycoplasma, and why mastering leopard tortoise care requires becoming a true student of the species.

• 0:02 Leopard Tortoises Unpacked

• 4:24 Why Leopard Tortoises?

• 10:29 Native Range and Climate

• 17:35 Wild Populations and Imports

• 28:50 Not for Beginners

• 40:57 Biosecurity and Mycoplasma

• 52:29 Feeding the Grazers

• 1:00:10 Pricing and Buying Advice

• 1:06:25 Setup Costs and Research

Key Questions Answered in This Episode

Q: Are leopard tortoises a good choice for beginners?A: Absolutely not. Leopard tortoises are a hyper-sensitive species that require precise environmental conditions. They are highly skittish, slow to adjust to new environments, and more prone to stubborn respiratory infections from stress or improper humidity than almost any other tortoise species.

Q: What is the main difference between South African and East African leopard tortoises?A: While science now officially groups them together under one species name, keepers notice distinct physical and behavioral differences. True South African lines often undergo a winter slowdown or diapause and can look physically distinct with heavy star patterns or high-black coloration, whereas East African populations do not undergo diapause and thrive best in consistently warm, equator-like climates.

Q: Can you keep leopard tortoises on wet substrate or in rainy climates?A: They require a delicate balance. While high humidity is absolutely essential during growth to prevent shell pyramiding, constant dampness or excessive cold precipitation is dangerous. They handle wet and warm conditions well, but adult leopard tortoises must have a dry, heated retreat to prevent respiratory issues, especially when adapting to rainy climates like the American Southeast.

Q: What is the recommended size or age to buy a leopard tortoise?A: Due to how fragile hatchlings are, breeders and serious keepers highly recommend waiting until a juvenile reaches the 200-gram mark before purchasing or selling. By 200 grams, their shell is structurally set and they are much less likely to crash or develop irreversible pyramiding due to minor husbandry errors.

Contact our guest

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinktortz/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PinkTortz/

More about the show

Website: https://www.turtletea.org

TTPG Official Site: https://www.ttpg.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ttpg_turtlesandtortoises/

Facebook Group: The Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group

In this follow-up episode of Turtle Tea with TTPG, Wendy Montroy and Anthony Pierlioni move from basic care into the specialized world of breeding McCord’s Box Turtles. This conversation goes beyond simple husbandry to explore the evolving mindset of the modern keeper and the critical role the private sector plays in keeping this species from vanishing forever.

Anthony reflects on his personal journey as a breeder, discussing how his focus has shifted from merely hatching eggs to the more important goal of sharing information and using these animals to advocate for turtle conservation globally.

Key topics covered in this episode include:

• The Breeding Mission: The necessity of establishing a community of breeders who can ensure the species survives for generations to come.

• Technique and Timing: Understanding the balance between size and age for maturity, the role of natural cooling, and how to identify seasonal triggers for egg production.

• Incubation Insights: Managing eggs, the specific challenges of sex determination, and using lower temperatures to produce more robust hatchlings.

• Hatchling Success: Practical advice on setting up neonates in high-humidity environments and the best methods for introducing them to a staple diet.

• The Path Forward: A look at the importance of maintaining genetic diversity through ACTS and why transparency among keepers is the most effective way to save animals.

Whether you are an experienced keeper or a newcomer to the community, this episode provides a blueprint for managing a species that no longer exists in the wild and explains why their survival depends entirely on the dedication of human caretakers.

Connect with Our Guest:

Anthony Pierlioni Find him on YouTube at JustTurtles, follow him on Instagram @JustTurtles, or reach out via email at anthony.pierlioni@theturtleroom.org.

Not a TTPG member yet? Join us! The Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group is full of the kindest, most knowledgeable and FUN turtle people on the planet!

For more information on turtle conservation and husbandry, visit Turtletea.org or join the Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group (TTPG) community.