How does one sex a Tortoise???

[cowboyway]

I have 2 Sulcatta's that I've raised from hatchlings, and are now three years old and looking very good .
Majestic creatures they are.imho

Lets kick off this breeding forum with a basic starter question,

What do you look for when determining the sex of tortoises?

 

[Merri]

Sulcata sexing

When you can sex tortoises depends more on their size than their age, so at three they may not be big enough.

The first thing to look at is the tail. In males the tail is longer (usually extending past the anal scute). Males also tend to tuck their tails up, where as females sometimes leave them down. If you look at a females tail there is often a bulge at the base of the tail. This bulge quickly becomes a skinny tip. This helps with egg-laying. Males tend to have a more tapered look to their tails. There is no bulge, and the size at the tip is not that much smaller than the size at the top. The tip of the males tail tends to be slightly rounded, whereas the females tail ends in more of a point. The females tend to have a circular or hemi-circular vent. The males vent tends to be a vertical slit.

The second thing to look at is the plastron. Males often have concave plastrons, but some females also have a slight concavity. If the plastron is very concave, the animal is more than likely male. If it is only slightly indented it is hard to tell.

The third thing to look at is the head. Males often have broader heads. Females heads tend to be a little smaller than males.

The fourth thing to look at (on Sulcatas) is the gulars. Males often develop large gulars. This is not the best thing to look at because it does not become obvious until they are quite large.

The fifth thing to look at is behaviour. This is the least condusive. Males tend to be bullies, but then, so do some females. Females will also mate males and other females to show dominance. Females do not tend to ram as much, but I have seen it happen. Females also tend to especially act like males when they are gravid.

The sixth thing to look at is for a penis. Look at the animal's tail right after you soak them, or when they are urinating. If you see the tip of a pink penis the animal is 99.9% male. There has been cases of tortoises (mainly Testudo marginata) with a penis who have layed viable eggs. My vet had someone bring is a male marginated who was acting strange (not eating, dragging plastron, et cetera). This was a definite male who liked to show off his penis. My vet could not figure out what was wrong with him, and finally took x-rays. He was egg bound. Just goes to show that nothing is a sure sign when sexing tortoises.

Thanks,
Merri

 

[3docks]

could you post a pic

could you post a pic of your sulcatas i also have two sulcatas that are round three, just curious thats all.