Galapagos tortoises

Hi there!
As some of you may know, I recently received the Yujin Takara Turtle/Tortoise set. Among all the models there were three I wasn't interested because already had the species or because I didn't like the model at all.
One of those was the giant galapago. However, thanks to Pardofelis, I realized that there are different "species" inside the Chelonoidis nigra complex, so now I intent to keep both as two different ones.
They are the Schleich and the Takara Tomy tortoises, which I show below. The main "problem" is the difference in size, being the Schleich one much bigger than the other.
So, what do you think? Do you think they can cohabit in my habitat as two different species? And which ones?
Thank you very much :)

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As you know, I considere the spliting of this species into several invented species as ridiculous (as 90% of the modern taxonomic changes after the Taxonomic Revolution). They're subspecies.

Both are wonderful, - and perhaps the smallest one is not fully grown ?

That's a hard question. I haven't found many people in this forum being able of identifying the several species, subspecies or populations of the Galápagos tortoise complex. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], maybe can help you...
Sometimes, the same "species" show differences in the shapes of the shell or neck length what turns really hard to determine what is what. However, it is easy to reply to your main question and I think you should keep both. These tortoises exist in a wide diversity of sizes and youngsters look like older specimens. Also, the small model won't take too much room.

Pardofelis wrote:

As you know, I considere the spliting of this species into several invented species as ridiculous (as 90% of the modern taxonomic changes after the Taxonomic Revolution). They're subspecies.

Not disagreeing with you, you probably know it is sometimes only to adjust to the laws of certain countries. their classification as species or subspecies can change a lot their conservation status and consequently the effort to not get these creatures extinct. It is not valid to these tortoises once I think they're all endangered but it makes a huge difference regarding giraffes for instance. Some populations are not protected in their countries ecause they're considered subspecies, thus, a part of a much wider group.
It is sometimes more political than scientific.

Thank you, [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]. I definitely keep both for the moment, you convinced me.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], I really don't mind if they are subspecies or "real" species according.

Nice and enthusiastic words, [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], as always. Thanks!

Hi, I spent countless hours on this topic. I also met an old professor of mine to discuss some Tortoise models. So, I could identify that the one from Papo for example is an Aldabra Giant Tortoise.
The one from Schleich, you have shown, could be a female San Cristobal Tortoise aka Chelonoidis chathamensis.
The overall shape of the carapace shows the intermediate Form, which is between the domed and the Saddleback one.

Interesting, another reason why it should enter my collection, thank you :)

By the way, genetically there are around 12 different species inside the Galapagos complex.
Here are some images for the Schleich species:
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Your other model is a Fernandina Giant Tortoise, which was thought to be extinct. But it was rediscovered, when they were searching for Pinta Island Tortoises.
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Which other model, the Schleich from the 1990s?

Advicot wrote:

Which other model, the Schleich from the 1990s?

I mean the Takara Tomy one from above. Sorry for this mistake

Oh it's fine, no worries