Afghan tortoise  (Testudo horsfieldii)

Description

The Afghan tortoise has a rounded upper shell (carapace) that is almost as broad as it is long. The upper shell varies in colour from uniformly light brown to yellowish-brown with extensive dark brown markings on each scute, while the lower shell (plastron) is black with yellow seams (2). The head and limbs are yellowish-brown, with the jaws being noticeably darker and the neck, especially in younger specimens, tending to be lighter (more yellowish) in colour (2) (5). The front legs are heavily armoured with prominent overlapping scales (5). Spur-like scales are present on each heal and blunt tubercles on each thigh and the tail ends in a horny claw (2). Unlike all other Testudo tortoises, which have five toes on their forelimbs, this species only has four, resulting in one of its common names, the ‘four-toed tortoise’ (5) (6).

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