A Horsfield’s tortoise in its natural habitat.
The first thing to say is that although Horsfield’s tortoise may look rather similar to both Hermann’s and the Mediterranean spur-thighed species, it is a very different animal. This has now been recognised by zoologists as well. Up until 1998, all three species were grouped in the genus Testudo, but then Horsfield’s was transferred to a separate genus on its own, giving it the scientific name of Agrionemys horsfieldii. This is now in dispute again though, as these tortoises have hybridised with Hermann’s, and provides a reason as to why they should not be kept together.
The flat top to the shell is very evident here.