Russian Tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii), also commonly known as Horsefield Tortoise. They typically grow between 5-10 inches long, with females being slightly larger than males. The carapace is rounded-oval, which is usually tan, yellow, or olive in colour with brown or black markings. The plastron is brownish with large dark brown to black blotches. A Russian Tortoise’s body is usually straw-yellow and brown. The skin is usually yellowish-tan. The males tail is longer than a females and has a small scale, or “spur”, at the tip. The tail curves around to touch the upper leg.

Hermann’s Tortoise scientifically known as Testudo hermanni, can grow up 11 inches long. Hermann’s Tortoises have a highly arched shell with a yellow colour that contrasts with dark patches. The plastron has two black bands running from top to bottom. They have a yellow spot under each eye, and most have a dark keyhole or “mushroom cloud” shape on the fifth vertebral scute. 

Greek Tortoise also known as Testudo graeca and Spur thighed Tortoise, is medium sized that can grow up to 10 inches long. They have a domed carapace that is tan to yellow with dark brown or black markings. They have spurs on each thigh, but no spur on their tail. Males are usually smaller than females, and have longer tails that taper to a point. They have a flat head with large eyes, and strong claws.

Marginated Tortoise also known as Testudo marginata. They can grow up to 14 inches long, males are usually larger than females. They have a thick, oblong shell that’s mostly black with yellow highlights or centres on each scutes. The marginal scutes form a skirt shape. This flaring is more pronounced in males and becomes more prominent with age. Their plastron is cream coloured with two rows of triangular markings.

Red-footed Tortoise scientifically known as Chelonoidis carbonaria. Males are usually larger than females and have longer, thicker tails and more concave shells. They can grow between 11-14 inches long. The most notable feature is its red, orange, or yellow scales on its head, legs, and tail. The carapace is dark brown to almost black, which also has golden yellow spots in the centre of each scute. The Red-footed Tortoise has a small, squared-off head with a flat top. Its eyes are large and have brown or almost black irises.

Yellow-footed Tortoise also known as Chelonoidis denticulata. Fully grown males grow to 16 inches long, while fully grown females grow to 24-30 inches long. The carapace is dark brown with yellow circles/ patches. Their skin is shiny black with yellow markings on the head and lower jaw. Their head and limbs are brown with orange scales and markings.

Indian Star Tortoise scientifically known as Geochelone elegans, is a medium to large Tortoise with a distinctive star pattern on its shell. The Indian Star Tortoise has a bumpy carapace with a dark brown shell and contrasting yellow stripes that form a star pattern. Baby Tortoises are almost completely brown with small yellow splotches, and develop the star pattern as they grow. The head, legs, and tail are tan in colour. They can grow to be 7-12 inches long, with females being larger than males. Males have longer and thicker tails than females.

Egyptian Tortoise also known as Kleinmann’s Tortoise, Leith’s Tortoise, and the Negev Tortoise. They are one of the smallest Tortoise species in the world, growing to 3-4 inches long. Females are usually larger and heavier than males. They are pale in colour, ranging from ivory, pale grey, to golden. They often have dark brown rings around each scute. Egyptian Tortoises have a classic-shaped carapace with a high arch and a supracaudal shield that points outward. The plastron has two chevron-shaped dark patches, one on either side. Their skin and nails match the colour of their shell, but some may have a pink hue.

Leopard Tortoise is also known as Stigmochelys pardalis. They can grow up to two feet long. Females are often larger than males, but it can be difficult to tell the difference unless you know their exact age. Leopard Tortoises have a high, domed carapace with steep sides. Their shells are often asymmetrical and lack repetition, making it easy to distinguish one Tortoise from another. Juveniles have black blotches, spots, or stripes on a yellow background, but the markings fade to brown or grey in adults. The heads and legs of Leopard Tortoises are usually yellow, tan, or brown.

Desert Tortoise is scientifically known as Gopherus agassizii, and is also known as Mojave desert Tortoise, California desert Tortoise, Sonoran desert Tortoise. They can grow to be 9-15 inches long. The carapace is brown, grey, or black on top and lighter underneath. Desert Tortoises have short tails and elephant-like hind legs that are well-suited for crawling over rocky territory. Their front legs are flattened and adapted for digging Males are slightly larger than females and have longer gular horns, longer tails, and concave lower shells.

Pancake Tortoise is also known as Malacochersu tornieri. They are thin, flat, flexible shells with fewer, lighter bones. They can grow up to 7 inches long. Their carapace is brown, often with a variable pattern of radiating dark lines. The plastron is pale yellow with dark brown seams and light yellow rays. Their head, limbs, and tail are yellow-brown.

Sulcata Tortoise is known as an African spurred Tortoise and is scientifically known as Centrochelys sulcata. The Sulcata is the third largest Tortoise species in the world. Females can grow up to 20 inches long, while males can grow up to 32 inches long. The shell is sandy golden in colour or light brown and has deep furrows between each scute. They have hind legs and have enlarged bony scales. The young Sulcatas are pale yellow with narrow brown-bordered scutes, as they grow the rings become more visible.

Galapagos Domed Tortoise which is also known as Chelonoidis niger. They can grow to be over 4.2 feet long, males are typically larger than females. The domes have large, round shells, that are dull brown, light green, or grey. They also have large, stumpy legs with dry, scaly skin and hard scales. The front legs have five claws, and the back legs have four.

Galapagos Saddle-backed Tortoise is also known as Chelonoidis niger, which have an upward curve to the front of their carapace. They have a brownish-grey, oblong shell, that can grow to 5 feet in length. Their skin is grey with scales, and has sturdy, stumpy limbs covered in hard scales.